Teaching the ABC of AEDs essential

The Beijing Municipal Educational Commission recently issued a guiding document, which requires schools to install at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) on their campus.

The document also says the schools should put up clear signs showing the way to the AED's location and train enough personnel how to use one in an emergency.

Schools need to install the AEDs, which analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to heart attack victims to restore the heart rhythm to normal, by the end of this year.

This is good news, because AEDs can significantly increase the chances of a heart attack victim's survival. AEDs have become ubiquitous at public places in Beijing, such as subways, the Daxing International Airport and other commercial establishments.

However, the installation of AEDs in schools is only the first step. Training school staff, such as teachers, students and other employees to use an AED is the next challenge.

A trained person will first check the heart victim's pulse, then attach the AED electrode pads, analyze the patient's heart rhythm and, if required, press the "shock" button on the AED in order to revive the patient.

Unfortunately, in some cases, despite an AED being present, the victim couldn't be revived because no trained person was around to use the device.

The Beijing Municipal Education Commission has realized this fact and issued the guiding document to ensure schools train enough staff so that at least one of them is present on the campus during school hours.

But more needs to be done. For example, the authorities should install AEDs in other institutions as well. Still, it is hoped that such training will help save more lives in the future.