Maritime Sector Sees Rapid Increase In AED Adoption
Posted: Wednesday 23 July, 2008
Whilst the guidelines were specifically aimed at vessels that routinely carry more than 100 people, they have sparked interest throughout the industry by highlighting the threat of sudden cardiac arrest in an environment where access to emergency services is very difficult and crew and passenger welfare is paramount. 140,000 lives are lost to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) every year and estimates indicate that up to 100,000 (70%) of these 140,000 fatalities could have been prevented if they had received swift treatment by an AED within three minutes (*).While at sea, where this is no defibrillator on-board, the chances of survival are nil.
The only proven way to save the life of someone that has suffered a SCA is to rapidly deliver an electric shock to the heart. An SCA victim's chance of survival decreases by 10% for each minute they are without defibrillation treatment - and after 10 minutes their chances of survival are negligible making the provision of an on-board defibrillator essential.
Vanessa Muff, Marketing Manager of Martek Marine said:
"Shipping companies are becoming more aware of the necessity of providing on-board defibrillators for the welfare of their passengers and crew. It is testament of the amount of people who have been affected by SCA, whether this is a family member, friend or colleague, and with greater pressures on safety, we introduced Lifeforce, the world's only type approved AED for the marine industry. Guidance notes issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and indeed the emotive connection people have with the subject matter, have sparked a real appetite for Lifeforce as marine companies realise the threat that SCA poses to them and their employees; as a result AEDs are becoming an essential piece of kit for every marine vessel."
SCA differs significantly from a ‘heart attack' in that IT is an electrical fault with the heart, whereas a heart attack is caused by a blockage in the artery that supplies blood to the heart. With 108,000 UK fatalities each year from heart attacks (*1), SCA is the greater killer, with almost 30% more cases per annum.
As the only AED to be type approved for the marine industry, Martek Marine's Lifeforce AED is specifically designed for use on-board ships; it is robust, easy to use and compact. Lifeforce has been designed to be used by anyone, offering clear visual and verbal instructions combined with two bright oversized buttons to enable any individual to potentially save a life.
Vanessa continued:
"Unfortunately, SCA is a growing problem and an on-board AED is essential for marine vessels. Getting medical treatment to a patient on-board where there is no defibrillator poses a real life threatening situation. The great thing about Lifeforce is that with only two buttons to press and clear voice prompts to talk users through the process of saving a life, absolutely anyone can use it.
"Thanks to a five-year battery supplied as standard with every Lifeforce AED, the life-saving device is also incredibly reliable and low-maintenance, whilst a data card can record and update the device with any legislation changes required in minutes."
The business has won numerous prestigious awards, including the CBI's Growing Business Award, two Queen's Award for Enterprise, numerous Seatrade Awards - including the Protection of the Marine and Atmospheric Environment award in April 2008 - and has been identified on The Sunday Times Fast Track.
For more information please visit www.martek-marine.com, 01709 599 215.
