Three to five minutes. In such a short time, brain cells die without the supply of oxygen when the heart suddenly stops. However, the average time of arrival of the ambulance ambulance in Slovakia is more than 11 minutes. This means that even with the best choice of rescuers, it is sometimes simply not easy, and providing first aid on site is therefore crucial.

However, there is already a solution to these crisis situations in Slovakia. It is an automatic external defibrillator, abbreviated AED, thanks to which even a layman without medical education can save a human life. At the same time, statistics show that if achieved quickly enough, the patient’s chances of survival increase by up to 70 percent.

From a few pieces to 2,000

When the Emergency Medical Service Operations Center of the Slovak Republic began building a register of defibrillators five years ago, there were only a few dozen of them in Slovakia. Today, according to his spokeswoman Alena Krčová, there are up to 2,000 of them. At first glance, this may seem like a high number, but it still does not seem different.

“If we want to get closer to developed countries, the AED should be available to every municipality, city district or sports hall in Slovakia and possibly also playgrounds,” said Krčová.

The spokeswoman for the rescuers therefore called on cities, municipalities, mayors, mayors, donors and organizations to provide the public with a greater degree. They themselves do not have the means to buy and distribute defibrillators because of their high price.

Covering Slovakia

According to Confidence PR manager Branislav Cehlárik, only one costs at least 1,400 euros. Therefore, the health insurance company decided to donate up to 20 devices, while the location was chosen with regard to the effort to cover Slovakia as best as possible. “We handed over one of the first defibrillators at the crisis center for war refugees from Ukraine in Nitra, the other is available at the crisis center in Žilina. We donated several on the basis of rescuers’ recommendations to specific voluntary fire brigades and city police officers, “added Cehlárik.

The insurance company has so far closed the project in the village of Sološnica in western Slovakia. According to Cehlárik, however, this is not their last word. The defibrillator will also have specialized cabinets that have a longer life. At the same time, the insurance company will take care of experienced potential users, ie volunteer firefighters who do not yet have experience with them.

“Over time, we will also supply replacement electrodes, which must be changed after use. From this point of view, it is a longer-term investment worth 40,000 euros, “he added, adding that they plan to donate even more defibrillators in the future. You must first complete the current project.

First responders and laymen save lives

According to Krčová, in five years it turned out that the whole system, which complements the work of rescuers, works very well. In addition to the register of addresses where the AEDs are located, the operators on the emergency line 155 also have telephone contacts for the so-called first respondents. “They are voluntary and state firefighters, city police officers who have already been trained in the field of first aid and I can ask them for help if the arrival of professional rescuers takes too long,” says Krčová.

However, he seems to be able to handle the device, he may not be the first respondent. “She is not a scarecrow. The control is extremely simple. The device issues voice commands and tells the rescuer exactly what to do, in Slovak or Czech. However, it is important to first start the life function of a person who loses and quickly 155. If it is immediately, our operator, who will advise and help you, “says the spokeswoman, according to whom the AED and rescuers have managed to save dozens of lives. lives.