National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEMS) plans to install 20 AED machines in order to increase the availability of AEDs in public as they can come in use in the event of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Initially, AED machines will be installed at some airports, stadiums and railway stations. Mr. Anuchar Setthasathien, M.D. states that statically, 6 people die from cardiac arrest every hour, he also adds that performing CPR with an AED within four minutes will increase a chance of survival for victims. 

General Choosilpa Khanathai, the member of National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), presides over the press conference at Kamol-Thip Room, Sukosol Hotel, to announce that the Alcotec Company donates 20 AED machines to National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEMS). In addition, there is a seminar on the topic” Stop Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Crisis and save an elderly mom with AED while performing CPR” by lecturers from NIEMS, Emergency Medicine Physicians, private agencies and an actress. Moreover, there is a demonstration on how to perform CPR and using an AED.

Mr. Anuchar Setthasathien, M.D., the Secretary General of NIEMS says that a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death any time among Thais of any age and gender. The number of people who die each year from SCA is equivalent to people whose cause of death is accident. Approximately 54,000 victims die from SCA, which means 6 people die from cardiac arrest every hour. But if the SCA patients are provided CPR and use an AED within four minutes, it will increase a survival rate.

  As a consequence, the Alcotec Company donates 20 AED machines to MIEMS so the AEDs machines will be installed at SCA prone-area in different places in a community such as railway stations, bus terminals, airports, on airplanes, on trains, Marathon events, stadiums, Golf course, Shopping Malls, schools, government buildings, factories, including tourist attractions in remote areas away from Emergency Medical Service. Initially, an AED has already been installed at these places;  Lipe Regional Health Promoting Center, Tambon Lipe , Satun, MRT Tao Poon station, Chiang Mai International airport, Don Muang International airport, and National stadium. In a very near future, more places such as Zoos, Religious tourist attractions, Suraj Thani airport,  Southern Bus Terminal, Railway stations, the Comptroller General's Department, HTMS Chakri Naruebet, and Thupatemi Stadium will be installed an AED machine to serve  public when needed.

Chaiwut Sorawiboon, M.D., a professor of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Washira Hospital, reports that there are many people who are not aware of having a heart disease and end up having a cardiac arrest. About 80% of sudden cardiac deaths occur outside a hospital. We can help patients only within four minutes so it is very important for people should learn a basic lifesaving skills. He also recommends people to have a regular medical checkup. The elderly are likely to suffer SCA. Since it is a Mother’s Day month, his advice is to assess the risks before taking elderly mothers on a trip where there is no Emergency Medical Service nearby. SCA’s symptoms are not obviously detected and no obvious signs until it occurs so it is best that an annual medical checkup and also Electrocardiography (EKG) test is always recommended before going on a holiday. In addition, a long distance and high risk places should be avoided and having enough rest and medication should be taken into consideration.

Ms. Asadapon Soirithanakul, AKA Green, a singer-actress, adds that there were many times on a show involving resuscitation a person who was fainted, drowning, or had trouble breathing. At that time, she did not know how to properly performed CPR, she just acted as she was told by a movie crew. But now after she has seen a demonstration and learn how to operate AED machine, she is now confident that she will be able to perform CPR properly and hopefully save lives. She says “We could not tell if what we did on the show was correct or not. But now I have learned how to perform CPR and how to use AED machine, I feel more confident. Even though, I know nothing about Emergency Medicine, now I feel brave enough to use AED to help others because the instruction is clear and easy to use.

Mr.Thanapak Jiradethdamrond, an executive from Alcotec Co., Ltd., who is a leading importer and distributor of Defibtech AED machine from the United States of America, mentions that when NIEMS has an AED machine campaign to encourage and promote the use of AED machines in community as a first aid device. Therefore, it is essential to educate people how to use it. These 20 AED machines are user friendly with an on screen instruction both in Thai and in English which is easy to follow so no matter who you are Thai or foreigner, you can easily use AED machine promptly.

Representatives from Alcotec, provides additional information that many countries use AED machines to increase the chances of survival for patients with acute cardiac arrest before EMS arrives. In the past only, 3 % of SCA patients survived when only performing CPR in Thailand, and 5 % in the United States. However, an American research study has shown that performing a CPR in performing defibrillation increase the likelihood of survival up to 50%

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is” silent “, it has no sign or symptoms before it happens. I encourage people of Thailand to be prepared and respond immediately when encounter a SCA patient by calling 1669, then perform CPR and using AED machine to increase a chance of survival.