Hong Kong SAR, 4 Dec 2024 – Today, we proudly celebrate a significant milestone: 150 documented saves from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) thanks to our automated external defibrillators (AEDs) deployed across Hong Kong.
Since 2004, we have been committed to increase AED access in the Hong Kong and Macau markets. Initially, potential users were often hesitant to adopt this lifesaving device due to concerns about usage and potential legal liabilities. However, advancement in technology, coupled with improved community awareness and government support, have significantly contributed to the growing acceptance of AEDs. Organizations like the Hong Kong Red Cross, Hong Kong St John Ambulance, Hong Kong Resuscitation Council and Fire Service Department have led continuous initiatives focused on first aid training and enhancing public access to defibrillation.
Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, leading to an erratic heartbeat that prevents the heart from pumping blood effectively. This condition causes the victim to lose consciousness within seconds and without immediate intervention death occurs within approximately 10 minutes. CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation helps circulate blood, however Defibrillation therapy, delivered through an AED, is the only recognised method to restore an effective heart rhythm.
Hong Kong documents some 6,000-8,000 SCA victims every year.
The Importance of Timely Action
Every minute counts in an SCA situation: the chance of survival decreases by approximately 10% for each minute without defibrillation. In Hong Kong, ambulances typically arrive around 10 minutes, which is too late. Hence the Golden 5-minutes slogan from FSD Awareness Promotion. Immediate recognition of an SCA and swift action— Call for help, Start CPR, and Use an AED—are vital.
Awareness and education about SCA and the use of AEDs are crucial. In some European countries, CPR training is mandatory in schools and part of driving tests, contributing to higher survival rates. In Scandinavia, the out-of-hospital survival rate for SCA is around 15%, compared to less than 2% in Hong Kong.
As we celebrate this milestone of 150 documented saves, we recognize that there is still much work to be done. There is an increasing focus on CPR during the rescue since the AHA Guideline change in 2015. Both the quality of CPR and the timeliness of defibrillation are crucial factors in determining the survival outcome for a patient in cardiac arrest. They work together as part of the "Chain of Survival" to provide the best chance of resuscitation. Often layman rescuers tend to press not deep enough, fearing of breaking the victim’s ribs… Studies have shown that timely real-time CPR feedback (such as voice prompts from the AED) during CPR can help to improve the quality of the CPR during the resuscitation and double the chance of a successful outcome. An AED with real-time feedback may help to continue to improve the success rate.
We need to continue to educate, learn new advanced AED tools through collaboration with training institutions, government bodies and organizations dedicated to first aid initiatives. Together, we can save more lives.
For more information about our AEDs and training programs, please visit: www.aed.com.hk