Beach safety units acquire defibrillators

A TOTAL of five defibrillators have been placed in key positions on the Blue Flag beaches of El Altet, Carabassí, La Marina, El Rebollo and Arenales del Sol in Elche, to be deployed in the event of cardiac arrest.
The councillor for Health, Cristina Martinez, confirmed that first responders have been trained to use the defibrillators in a cardiac emergency and posters with relevant information have been placed advising where to find specific aid centres.
Defibrillators are proved to be effective and may even save lives in the treatment of cardiac emergencies. According to the Spanish Society of Medicine and Safety, it is estimated that each year there are more than 30,000 cardiac arrests in Spain. More than 85 per cent are sudden cardiac deaths with 90 per cent of those occurring in outpatient settings.
Alicante and Benidorm have also incorporated facilities with defibrillators in public places.