AED kiosk for promenade visitors

Visitors checking out the new AED kiosk set up at Karpal Singh Drive in Penang. – LIM BENG TATT/The Star

PENANG now has the first Automated External Defibrillator (AED) informative kiosk at Karpal Singh Drive to provide emergency assistance to sudden cardiac arrest victims.

The kiosk, installed at a cost of RM15,000 (RM7,000 for AED and RM8,000 for kiosk), has full instructions on the usage of the AED machine. It is an initiative by the Penang Heart Safe Society (PHSS).

According to PHSS chairman Dr Luah Leah Wah, the new kiosk has full instructions on the usage and other information and is therefore different from the AED cabinets previously set up at various sites on the island.

(From right) Chow placing the AED unit into the kiosk at Karpal Singh Drive. With him are Yeoh and Dr Luah.

“For example, if you scan the QR code, it gives details on how the AED can be used and other functions like educating people on the usage of AED and cardio- pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) through YouTube.

“A kiosk is more presentable compared to an AED cabinet. Karpal Singh Drive is a famous tourist and jogging spot and it will be of great help during any eventuality,” said Dr Luah in her speech during the launching of the AED kiosk by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at Karpal Singh Drive recently.

Chow thanked PHSS for the initiative, adding that there were 100 AEDs in public places, government institutions and private schools with the society training over 30,000 people on CPR and usage of AED.

Loo Yee Yang, 23, taking a closer look at the AED device.

“This kiosk was set up after taking into consideration that this place is frequented by many, including tourists.

“As such, we hope the AED would be the most effective and swift means to help someone who is having a cardiac arrest.

“In fact, the two techniques - CPR and AED - were important in saving the lives of two runners during the Penang Bridge Marathon Run on Nov 24, 2019.

An AED unit stored in a wall-mounted cabinet (left) at Bukit Dumbar with park visitors learning to use the device and perform CPR. — Filepic

“Both their lives were saved and they were sent to the hospital for further treatment,” he added.

Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said four more AEDs would be installed at the Penang Botanic Gardens soon, a collaboration between the state, PHSS and Zoll Medical Corporation Asia Pacific.

“This will make Penang Botanic Gardens the first ‘Heart Safe Park’ in the country,” added Yeoh.