Lifesaver for Nordenham: Thomas Edom calls for more defibrillators!

Lifesaver for Nordenham: Thomas Edom calls for more defibrillators!

Nowadays, when sudden cardiac arrests are not a rare event in Germany, the demand for more defibrillators in public spaces is becoming increasingly important. Reader Thomas Edom is actively committed to this important cause in Nordenham and supports the SPD parliamentary group, which is calling for all sports facilities in the city to be comprehensively equipped with defibrillators. The costs for this amount to over 100,000 euros, reports NWZ Online.

The deciding factor in a cardiac arrest is time. Every minute counts, and an automated external defibrillator (AED) can provide life-saving assistance in such situations. These devices are specially developed to be used safely by laypeople and guide the helper step by step through the application with clear voice instructions. Studies show that the chances of survival increase to up to 70% with defibrillation within three to five minutes. This is where the alarm bell goes off for everyone, because without immediate help, the probability of survival decreases by around ten percent per minute.

The importance of acting quickly

A tragic example of the need for these devices is the case of Thomas Greißinger, who suffered cardiac arrest during a heart attack. His wife reacted immediately and was able to save him. Prof. Dr. Stefan Baumann, head of cardiology at the Bergstrasse District Hospital, explains how dangerous cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation are because they can quickly lead to functional cardiac arrest. In Germany, up to 400,000 people die every year from cardiovascular diseases, including 65,000 from sudden cardiac death. ZDF reports.

It is all the more important that more people are informed about the correct procedure in the event of a cardiac arrest. According to experts, you should call emergency services immediately, position the patient correctly and begin chest compressions. An AED can then be used at lightning speed as it analyzes the heart rhythm and only delivers a shock if necessary. However, many potential helpers are currently hesitant to use a defibrillator in an emergency. said Deutschlandfunk.

Public defibrillators – a chance for life

In Cologne, for example, there are around 130 public defibrillators. However, these have only been used in eight cases so far. This shows that there is not only a lack of availability of the devices, but also the willingness of people to intervene in an emergency and take the important life-saving measures. In order to promote the use of these devices, first aid training should be intensified. It is therefore recommended that students from the 7th grade onwards receive regular resuscitation training in order to be able to act competently in such situations.

Some see the legal aspects as an inhibition because they fear being legally prosecuted. However, it is important to emphasize that first responders cannot be prosecuted under civil law if they use defibrillators as long as they do not act with gross negligence. Deutschlandfunk makes it clear that providing help is not only a moral duty, but also a step towards greater security in our society.