Health / Defibrillators to be installed on council ferries
DEFIBRILLATORS are set to be placed on Shetland Islands Council’s inter-island ferries as the local authority continues to install the devices across its property.
The council recently bought 12 defibrillators and some of them are already installed in buildings such as 8 North Ness, Shetland Library and the Islesburgh Community Centre.
The local authority says defibrillators will soon be placed on its inter-island ferries.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be used to provide assistance to anyone who is suffering from a cardiac arrest.
An AED can monitor the heart rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electric shock to the heart, which is the most effective treatment for a cardiac arrest.
The council will also be offering training to staff to help familiarise them with the equipment, as well as CPR training for any staff who may wish to attend.
The defibrillators have been supplied through Scottish charity Lucky2BHere.
SIC human resources manager Denise Bell said: “Heart disease is one of the UK’s greatest killers and around three-quarters of sudden cardiac arrests take place away from a hospital environment.
“When someone has a cardiac arrest, every minute without defibrillation reduces their chance of survival by 10 per cent. These public access defibrillators on some of our public buildings in Lerwick and on our ferries will improve the survival chances of anyone who finds themself in that unfortunate position.”
It is estimated that there are now around 100 defibrillators in Shetland.
Devices provided by Lucky2BHere can be located on an online map.
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