HEART ATTACKS can strike at any time and any place.
Therefore, if more bystanders are skilled in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and an automated external defibrillator (AED) is within reach of a person who suffering from cardiac arrest, the probability of survival can be increased greatly, according to Lim Teik Aun.
In the last four years, the chairman of the Community Policing Malaysia (CPM) Penang Charity Team has taught countless people on how to do CPR and use AEDs.
“I hope as many people as possible learn CPR so that lives won’t be lost unnecessarily.
“As hiking is a popular hobby nowadays, we are mainly concentrating on hikers.
“It is healthy to exercise, but some people tend to overdo it, therefore AEDs should be located at prominent hiking sites in Penang,” said Lim, who leads a 20-member squad with first-aid qualifications who teach people CPR.
For the past two years, AEDs have been installed in Ayer Itam Dam, Bukit Hijau near Cangkat Tembaga, and Bukit Jambul, according to Lim.
“We train hikers on how to use the AEDs and provide CPR in addition to installing them.
“We recently received six AEDs from a businessman, and we are in the act of working out where to place them.
“One of the AEDs was provided to the Bukit Bendera voluntary fire squad, while the other would be installed in Bukit Mertajam’s Cherok To’kun Hill.
“An AED was supposed to be installed in Cherok To’kun this month, but due to the current movement control order, it was postponed.
“The AEDs can be utilized in the event that a hiker’s heart has to be re-established after a sudden cardiac arrest,” he continued.
Lim stated that he now planned to teach CPR to schools and that they had already trained Year Five and Year Six students from one primary school.
CPM, a non-governmental organization with no political connection, also assists the needy by providing them with weekly supplies of packed food, vegetables, eggs, cooking oil, and rice, among other things.
He adds that CPM, which has about 180 members, will assist authorities in any emergency crisis by cooperating closely with the police and fire and rescue services.
“We even have a motorbike that has been customized to assist put out tiny fires. At a moment’s notice, this machine will be sent to the site.
“We’ve also assisted with sanitization exercises at several old folks and nursing homes, as well as a dialysis center,” he stated, adding that his members are all volunteers who are not paid in any way.
Source: thestar.com.my
