 | What is sudden cardiac death (SCD)? |
Sudden cardiac death or a cardiac standstill may occur in men and woman of any age. It may be caused, among other factors, by a sudden chaotic cardiac rhythm. One need not suffer from a specific cardiac disease. A protracted attack of influenza or overwork might suffice.
However, the following groups of individuals are at above-average risk:
Smokers Obese individuals
Persons with diabetes
Elderly individuals (the mean age is reducing from year to year ….)
| What is a defibrillator? |
Defibrillation is defined as an electric impulse delivered to the heart in order to stop a chaotic cardiac rhythm.
A defibrillator is an apparatus that can emit an appropriate electric shock for this purpose. When it is directly implanted in the heart it is known as an internal defibrillator (similar to a cardiac pacemaker).
A defibrillator that delivers the life-saving impulse from the outside through the tissue to the heart is known as an external defibrillator.
| What is an AED? |
An AED is an Automatic External Defibrillator - a defibrillator that emits its impulse from the outside through the body surface, via plate electrodes, and passes these to the heart. The time and intensity of the shock are determined automatically.
This special defibrillator is provided with a built-in ECG device and computer-regulated intelligence to observe the cardiac rhythm on its own and stabilise the heartbeat by an electric shock if necessary.
| What is a PAD? |
A PAD is a Public Access Defibrillator. It is a defibrillator at a public site, which can be easily used by any man or woman, in fact even by children. It is as simple to operate as a fire extinguisher and should also be mounted and used in the same manner. These devices are provided with symbols and written instructions so that any person can perform defibrillation.
| What is CPR? |
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is defined as reanimation of the heart and lungs, also known as reanimation, and is one of the most important links in what is known internationally as the "chain of survival".
It determines whether a victim of a cardiopulmonary or circulatory standstill has a chance of survival from the time of the emergency call to the arrival of the ambulance service.
Every minute that goes by unutilised reduces these chances by 7% to 10 %.
According to international studies spanning a period of several years, earliest possible defibrillation in this chain decides not only about survival but also about the possibility of permanent organ damage - usually brain damage.
| Why should companies or public facilities purchase defibrillators? |
A large number of studies have shown that at least one sudden cardiac arrest occurs every year in every 1000 individuals per location.
In other words: if a defibrillator would be within easy reach in all companies, schools, public buildings and places of such a population density so that a life-saving electric shock could be administered within the first few minutes, 300 persons per day could be prevented from dying of the sequelae of a sudden cardiac arrest in Austria. A goal worth achieving.
because:
Every life counts!
| What will a defibrillator cost me and how will I benefit from it? |
An AED defibrillator costs about 2,000 Euros (plus VAT). A human life, on the other hand, is invaluable. If you as a company, communal authority, a public authority or a public facility support this initiative by purchasing such an apparatus you possibly will not merely maintain life but also receive striking publicity (board, sticker, etc. from your supplier) and, when you register, your name will be entered free of cost into our database. Thus every person on site will be able to see that you are actively helping to save life. Our register, which is advertised for publicly can and will cause consumers to visit and stay in your hotel, cafe, restaurant or petrol station because their hearts are in the safest environment there.
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