Last updated: 05-13-2007
A Top German discount retailer has teamed up with HeartSine Technologies to offer automatic defibrillators in the first-ever Europe wide promotion designed to help reduce sudden death from heart attacks
HeartSine samaritan® Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) are now being sold to shoppers.
Some 300 PADs have been snapped up by health conscious Germans since the promotion was launched.
HeartSine is a pioneer of PAD devices and currently sells them to 50 countries through a network of distributors.
Volker Brand, HeartSines’ Vice President Europe, commenting on the initiative with PLUS, says: “It’s the first time that a portable defibrillator has been made available to the wider public in this way. Research shows that the lives of people who suffer a sudden cardiac arrest can be saved if they receive CPR and defibrillation within the first 10 minutes.
“Heart attacks are the greatest cause of sudden death worldwide, a problem Northern Ireland, Germany and other European countries share. PLUS has identified an opportunity to enable people to do something positive themselves and has come up with an initiative which makes this life-saving device readily available outside hospitals or clinics. Some European countries are resistant to lay people using these life saving devices and this is difficult to understand given the wide acceptance of the suitability of defibrillators for use by lay people who have received appropriate training.
“The samaritan® PAD can now be part of the first-aid kit which many people have at home, where 84 per cent of heart attacks occur, or in their cars or public places
“The device weighs around 2lbs with battery and is very portable. The samaritan® PAD is “idiot proof”, and is therefore very easy for everyone to use. Each PAD has clearly illustrated instructions and verbal guidance on how it should be used,” he adds. “The salespromotion also provides the customer with a voucher to offer them access to training in CPR and this is important for users for saving lives”.
About HeartSine Technologies
HeartSine was formed in 1997 by Professor John Anderson, now Chief Technical Officer, and a group of investors. The company carries forward the pioneering work on emergency defibrillation outside the hospital environment pioneered by the late Professor Frank Pantridge at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast from 1966.
Prof Pantridge developed the first mobile defibrillator and the cardiac emergency ambulance. Prof Anderson was part of the team that further developed the lightweight defibrillator and current public access devices such as the Samaritan.
The Samaritan PAD is available from Defibs Direct at over £175 less than the manufacturers RRP. Only £998.75 delivered.
The ideal defib for Home! Nursery! School! Gym! Shop! Office! Doctors! Dentist! Health Centres! Hairdressers! Manicurists! Beauticians!