The metro has only a single defibrillator

Pascal Dugas Drone

Friday, 23 march, 2018 01:00

UPDATE
Friday, 23 march, 2018 01:00

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Despite the recommendation of a coroner after the death of a man in 2014, there is still only one defibrillator in the network of the metro of Montreal, told QMI Agency.

The report of the coroner, Jacques Ramsay recommended that “each station can have access to a first aid kit and resuscitation equipment” after a man was killed accidentally at the station Langelier, enthralled by the subway.

Three years later, the only automated external defibrillator (AED) available in the network is in the hands of a paramedic for Urgences-santé, which patrol the station Berri-UQAM, during the week.

In comparison, the Toronto subway has installed an AED in each of its stations since 2011. Manitoba even has a law that requires companies to install AEDS in most public places.

“Each minute delay before defibrillation reduces survival rates by 7% to 10 % “, explained in the interview, the program manager of resuscitation for the Quebec heart and stroke Foundation, Monia Boutin.

“When one considers this statistic, we understand the importance of having an AED in places for the general public “, she added.

In the plans

Boutin wants that the large companies understand the importance of this issue.

“I dare to hope that the Société de transport de Montréal will be sensitive as any other big business in quebec that meets, as this [idea makes its way into] the spirit of the leaders of the STM “, she said.

The STM, which includes a million trips per day in the subway station, ensures ” evaluate the possibility to equip other stations with defibrillators “, without, however, establishing a target number or time frame.

“In the meantime, we can rely on the coverage of the first responders,” said Amélie Régis, a spokesperson for the STM.

Contacted in this regard, the chief of operations at Urgences-santé, Stefan Overhoff said he was “surprised” to learn that no AED was available to the public in the event of cerebral vascular accident.

An AED is a small portable machine that…

Photo archive

The only automated external defibrillator available in the metro is in the hands of a paramedic with Urgences-santé.

• Analyzes the heart rhythm of the victim

• Determines whether to administer a shock or not

• Gives audio instructions or video to guide the user throughout the process

• Double the chances of survival when it is used in the first few minutes

• Costs between 1000 and 2000 $

• Can be used by anyone, but a training course can be relevant

By the numbers

• 40 000 Canadians have a cardiac arrest each year, one person every 13 minutes

• $ 10 million: this is the amount earned by the Harper government in 2013 to equip some 3000 arenas in the country a postgraduate degree, a goal that the heart and stroke Foundation is able to reach