AS much as it is important to place an automated external defibrillator (AED) at public places, it is also important to teach people how to use it, says Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim.
Lim said just recently, a jogger was successfully resuscitated after he had collapsed right in front of the informative AED kiosk at the Karpal Singh Drive.
“I came to know of this incident which occurred on March 27. One of the passers-by succeeded in reviving the victim.
“This shows that it is vital to equip the public with the knowledge of emergency response. They must know how to perform the CPR as well as know how to use the AED.
“Thus, the Penang Heart Safe Society (PHSS) chairman Datuk Dr Luah Lean Wah told me that it would be good if we run the AED drill here,” Lim said during the AED drill at the Karpal Singh Drive this morning.
According to Lim, a total of seven lives had been saved using the public AEDs.
“I was told that another similar incident also had occurred at the Bukit Dumbar joggers’ track where the patient survived the cardiac arrest with the help of the AED.
“Previously, I had donated the AED that was placed at the Bukit Dumbar area,” she added.
Lim also said she had conducted several CPR trainings for her volunteers.
Meanwhile, Dr Luah thanked the state Health Department for their assistance in conducting the AED drill.
“Even though it is a drill, we will be really calling the 999 for the assistance from the emergency response team.
“So, we definitely need the support from the state Health Department to conduct the drill,” she said.
Dr Luah also said the chances of the patient getting revived depend on how fast the bystanders perform CPR, availability of the AED and most importantly the knowledge on using the AED.
“The Penang Heart-Safe Programme is not only about installing the AED at the public premises, but it also on conducting training on the correct techniques of performing CPR as well using the AED.
“We hope that more drills can be initiated in future as we are willing to collaborate to conduct the free drills and training at other places.
“Our first AED drill was conducted a few years back at the Komtar foyer,” Dr Luah added.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Law Suun Ting