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- Every day in Ireland about 18 people die from out of hospital cardiac arrest
- Just 1% of cardiac arrest victims survive
- 5 minutes is the target time \x96 from emergency call to defibrillation \x96 recommended by the European Society of Cardiology
- In the UK, where a National Defibrillator Programme began in 1999, the estimated response time is just over 3 minutes.
- In Ireland, the estimated response time is from 9 \x96 25 minutes.
- \x93The time to defibrillation is the single most important determinant of survival after cardiac arrest.\x94 (Reducing the Risk: A Strategic Approach. The Report of the task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death. Dept of Health and Children 2006).
- Although just 5% of Sudden Cardiac Death has no obvious cause, among young people (aged less than 35 years) these mystery death figures rise to between 20 and 30%.
- \x93The majority of Sudden Cardiac Deaths are due to the sudden onset of chaotic disturbance of the heart\x92s electrical rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (vf). If not treated, death usually results within minutes. If treated with high voltage electrical shocks (defibrillation), normal heart rhythm can be restored.\x94 (Reducing the Risk: A Strategic Approach. The Report of the task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death. Dept of Health and Children 2006).
- \x93While all statutory emergency ambulances are now equipped with defibrillators, there is a need for more defibrillators strategically placed through the community to enhance coverage and to meet recommended response times. Early defibrillation can be achieved through the delivery of well structured and coordinated first responder programme.\x94 (Reducing the Risk: A Strategic Approach. The Report of the task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death. Dept of Health and Children 2006).
- In the last three years, the Irish Red Cross has trained more than 34,000 people in First Aid and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). CPR is essential for using defibrillators
- In 2001 the Irish Red Cross began defibrillator training for its own volunteers.
- In 2002, the Irish Red Cross began defibrillator training for the public
- Now the Irish Red Cross has close to 300 Instructors around the country training people in using defibrillators and CPR.
- The Irish Red Cross is one of the largest voluntary providers of Caring and First Aid services in Ireland.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
