We would like to fit a defibrillator in Talybont, even the fastest paramedics could take eight to 12 minutes to get to a patient after he or she collapses. Quick access to an automatic external defibrillator, or AED, by an engaged bystander could increase the odds of survival from about 5% to 40% and higher.
Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack, which usually is caused by an arterial blockage. SCA causes the heart to suddenly and unexpectedly stop beating, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. A person with no signs of heart disease can suddenly pass out and appear lifeless. The survival rate outside of a hospital setting is only 1% to 5%, but the chance of survival increases considerably if they can be immediately treated with an AED.
Further Facts and Figures
Approximately 30,000 Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrests occur every year in the UK
In 2013, the Emergency Medical Services attempted to resuscitate approximately 28,000 people after they suffered an Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Of the 28,000 people that emergency services attempted to resuscitate, only 8.6% survived and were discharged from hospital
Approximately 80% of Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrests occur at Home; 20% will occur in public places
The current rate of initial bystander CPR in England is reported to be around 43%
12 people under the age of 35 die every week due to sudden cardiac arrest in the UK
270 children die in the UK every year after suffering a Sudden Cardiac Arrest at school
When someone has a cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces their chances of survival by 7-10%
Currently, only 20% of cardiac arrest victims are in a ‘shockable’ rhythm when the EMS arrive; this figure can be increased if more cardiac arrest victims received immediate, effective CPR from bystanders
If a defibrillator is used and effective CPR is performed within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest, survival chances increase from 6% to 74%