A GLASGOW MSP is trying to change the law to improve people’s chances of surviving a cardiac arrest.
Anas Sarwar, Glasgow Labour MSP has launched a consultation on his Member’s Bill for defibrillators to be registered with the Scottish Ambulance Service.
The move, the MSP said, would allow 999 call handlers to identify where there was a defibrillator nearby and be able to direct someone to it to.
Official figures show that only 1 in 12 out of 3,500 cardiac arrests outside of hospital, where resuscitation is attempted, is successful.
Mr Sarwar, said more Automated External Defibrillators (AED), located in strategic places would help save more lives.
READ MORE: Coronavirus in Scotland: Race to halt outbreak after confirmed case
Studies show every minute after a cardiac arrest without CPR or defibrillation leads to a 10 percent decrease in the chance of survival.
Mr Sarwar, said: “I want Scotland to lead the way in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival, and my proposed Member’s Bill supports that ambition.
“Registration would support the ambulance service to identify the nearest available working AED, potentially significantly reducing the time involved in getting a defibrillator to the scene and, in turn, improving survival rates.
“The Bill would also have the advantage of allowing for AEDs to be placed in a more strategic way than at present across Scotland.
“By locating and mapping current AEDs, we can identify areas which lack them within an accessible distance.
“The aim of this Bill is to help bystanders save the lives of their fellow citizens and allow Scotland to lead the way in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival, and I encourage the public to show their support in this consultation.”
READ MORE: Brave Kirkintilloch man calls for epilepsy awareness after coming out of coma
Just now, despite defibrillators being located in public outside of hospitals, there is no need for them to be registered centrally, although the Ambulance service does ask those who buy the machines to log the details with them.
Mr Sarwar said the result is cardiac arrests can often take place close to a defibrillator but it is not know to 999 call handlers so they cant direct someone to it.
A study carried out in Sweden found that an AED was 15 times more likely to be used if registered.
Ms Sarwar’s Bill would place a duty on the purchaser or guardian of all existing and newly-purchased AEDs in Scotland to register it.
The British Heart Foundation says: “A cardiac arrest usually happens without warning. If someone is in cardiac arrest, they collapse suddenly and will be unconscious, will be unresponsive and won’t be breathing or breathing normally - not breathing normally may mean they’re making gasping noises.
Without immediate treatment or medical attention, the person will die. If you see someone having a cardiac arrest, phone 999 immediately and start CPR.”
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here