Plans to install AED device at public place

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In an attempt to provide first aid to people suffering from cardiac arrest in public places, Tiruchi based Senthil Prabha Trust plans to install Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) device at a place of public congregation in Tiruchi soon.

Stating that 30% of heart attack patients died before reaching hospitals, Senthil Kumar Nallusamy, chief cardiologist, Rana Hospital and Director of the Trust, said that cardiac arrest could occur due to erratic fast heart beat (ventricular fibrillation). If this erratic heart beat can be identified at the right time, the abnormal rhythm can be normalised and the person’s life can be saved by giving a shock through the AED, Dr. Senthil Kumar said.

Though major hospitals had the device, it was not available in public places in Tiruchi so far. Since cardiac arrest could occur to any person anywhere at any time, it was essential to keep the device in public places outside hospitals so as to save the life of needy patients.

Hence, he had planned to make available the device, worth ₹1.5 lakh, in a popular public place.

The location would be identified shortly after obtaining necessary permission from the authorities concerned, he said.

Dr. Senthil Kumar said the machine was easy to operate. Selected persons would be trained to operate the device. The device was popular in western countries and could be found in airports, railway stations, bus stands, churches and mosques.