NGO coaches on CPR technique, defibrillator use in full-day event
A full-day event held at Queensbay Mall in Penang saw around 300 people participating in a free session on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). The training, organized by the northeast district of St John Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM), also provided parents with skills in child and baby CPR, including choking rescue techniques. Engineers Akmal Akram and Nurliyana Azman, who attended the training, expressed the importance of learning these life-saving methods, especially when it comes to sudden cardiac arrests. Akram, who felt the training was helpful in refreshing his memory, believes that such training should be held regularly in Penang. Azman, on the other hand, found the training particularly helpful in learning how to use an AED, a device she had no prior hands-on experience with. She also expressed gratitude for being able to participate in the free training.
Fahmi (middle) launching the one-day awareness and training event at Queensbay Mall, Penang.
The training focused on CPR, an emergency procedure involving chest compressions and rescue breathing, which is used when a person’s heart stops beating or their breathing ceases. Another aspect of the training was the use of the AED, a portable device used to treat people suffering from sudden cardiac arrest or heart attack, which can potentially be fatal. Pensioner Thomas Wong, together with his wife Lin Ming Huey, also participated in the training and found it easy to learn these important skills, emphasizing the ability to save lives in case of a cardiac arrest.
Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Fahmi Zainol, who was present at the event, highlighted the significance of such events and the Heart Safe Programme, initiated by the Penang government in 2015. This programme aimed to teach the public CPR basics and the correct methods of using an AED. Additionally, public access defibrillators (PAD) were installed to ensure the public had access to these life-saving devices during emergencies. Fahmi stressed the importance of reliable partners, such as St John Ambulance Malaysia, to create awareness at the grassroots level. He further advocated for the compulsory installation of AEDs in Penang schools to ensure the safety of students and teachers, proposing potential subsidies from the state to assist with the cost.
The full-day awareness and training event was made possible through the support of sponsors including Queensbay Mall, Plexus Manufacturing Malaysia, Penang Holiao, myAED4u, Safetyware, BH Electronics, Young Malaysians Movement, North East Area Penang, YMM DTL Penang, and senQ.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
