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Islanders are being urged to learn how to use public defibrillators after a UK teen's life was saved by one when he suddenly collapsed in a sports class earlier this year.
St. John Ambulance wants to change people's attitudes to Automated External Defibrillators, also known as AEDs or simply defibrillators.
They are little machines with a very important role in saving lives, but, sadly, most people are afraid to use them in situations of need.
Lynn Bouchard, a First Aid Trainer at St. John Ambulance, swears that AEDs are so safe to use that she even tested the machine on herself when she met with Express to prove that when it detects a heart rhythm, as faint as it might be, it will not let the patient be shocked.
Video: SJA First Aid Trainer Lyn uses a defibrillator on herself to prove that they are safe. (Music: Purple Planet)
The trainer says that 80% of adults who collapse are 'in fibrillation', meaning that their heart beats irregularly. The story of Stuart Askew, the father of a 15-year-old boy who used a public access defibrillator to save his life after he collapsed on a school field, showed how crucial an AED can be in those situations.
Mrs Bouchard says that it is important to act fast. "For every minute you are inactive, that person loses 10% of her life, whatever their age or level of fitness," she explained. "We want people to do something rather than nothing."
Sadly, too many people are scared of using an AED and worry about causing injuries to the casualty. St. John Ambulance, which maintains over 240 defibrillators over the island, wants to stop that fear.
Natasha Gallie, the charity's Business Administrator, says: "A lot of people I have spoken to say that they don't feel confident about using an AED. They are worried about causing damage. We want to stop the fear over defibrillators and put people at ease. The machine guides you through the process and won't let you shock someone who doesn't need it."
Pictured: This is what a public access defibrillator looks like.
The charity hopes that showing how the defibrillator works will convince more people to use "the little boxes on the wall" and that more lives will be saved in the process.
Mrs Bouchard is adamant that the first thing to do if one encounters a casualty is to call the Emergency Services on 999. They have an updated map of all the defibrillators and will direct the caller to the nearest one, providing the pin code to open the box. They will also stay on the line, advising on what to do, until a team arrives on site.
The first aid expert is so confident about how safe the machine is that, whenever she talks about it in her course, she tries it on on herself. When the machine detects a heart rhythm, as faint it could be, it won't shock the casualty. She even pushes the buttons in front of the class and shows that no shock can be delivered.
For those who still don't feel confident enough to use the defibrillators, St. John Ambulance offers courses on them. Lasting four hours and valid for a year, they give participants in-depth knowledge of the machine and also go over the routine checks that are needed. Those courses are available for individuals, as well as groups at the charity's headquarters on Midvale Road or at the St. Martin Training Hall. Trainers can also attend private houses and facilities as part of bespoke courses.
Pictured: First Aid Trainer Lyn Bouchard and Commandery Executive Officer Barry Marsden demonstrated the process to Express.
The charity also sells "ready-to-go" AEDs for £1,250 and takes care of the maintenance. Any company or business who buys a AED can then train two employees in their use for the price of one. Ms Gallie explains: "People don't have to buy an AED machine to take part in the training. Anyone can pay for their course online and choose the date and location that suit them."
Thanks to a donation from EFG International, St. John's trainers will also be holding free talks and demos about defibrillators and resuscitation for members of the Association of Jersey Charities. The first one will take place on 6 November at Beresford Street Kitchen. "We will be delivering essential first aid information that could potentially be saving a life," explains Ms Gallie. "Our trainers are trained to the highest standards. The more people we train, the more we get closer to our aim of everyone who needs it accessing first aid. And we rely entirely on donations to keep doing what we do."
(Music: Purple Planet)
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