Abu Dhabi: A set of training courses for employees and individuals at various public facilities on the use of automatic defibrillators has been arranged, the Emergency and Public Safety Department at the Ministry of Interior announced today.
The aim of the courses is to teach attendees to administer timely first aid pending the arrival of ambulance services in the event of an emergency in a public place. The ministry had installed 79 defibrillators at various locations across the country.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ebrahim Al Ameri, Head of Emergency and Public Safety Department at the Abu Dhabi Police, said: “Training will be delivered by qualified experts with international accreditation from the American Heart Association, to empower members of the public to administer first aid in the event of an emergency in a public place, to resuscitate patients until they can be transferred to a hospital. This approach is intended to raise awareness on the importance of first aid, and to upgrade services according to international standards.”
Lt Col Al Ameri explained that the certificates awarded to trainees are accredited by the American Heart Association and authorise them to conduct Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. “The new devices are user-friendly, safe and smart. They won’t provide electric shocks until they detect that the heart is failing. It analyses pulse and heart signals to detect a ventricular fibrillation that requires an electric shock,” he said.
Officials revealed that the training courses will target the employees of Bawabat Al Sharq Mall in Bani Yas, Dalma Mall in Musaffah, Mushrif Mall, Marina Mall and Abu Dhabi Mall in Abu Dhabi. The defibrillator is used when there are symptoms of circulatory failure in a person with suspected heart failure. The symptoms include fainting, irregular breathing, and a weak or absent pulse.
