PETALING JAYA: For a humanitarian organisation like the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) whose tagline is “saving lives, changing minds”, being equipped with first aid skills is definitely a must.
As such, it is supportive of the Health Ministry’s call for a centralised and coordinated approach led by government agencies to monitor the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at public places throughout the country.
An AED can be used to help someone whose heart has suddenly stopped working.
“AEDs enable immediate response to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), significantly increasing the chances of survival. The first few minutes are crucial, and having an AED nearby can mean the difference between life and death.
“The presence of AEDs reassures the community that they are in a safe environment where immediate help is available in case of emergencies,” MRC said in a statement when contacted for comment.
Thus, the availability of AEDs, along with basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED training, can empower bystanders to take action confidently during cardiac emergencies.
The MRC spoke about the need for a more systematic and efficient distribution of AEDs, particularly in high-risk and high-traffic areas.
As for first aid knowledge, the MRC said this is essential for saving lives and promoting community safety.
“Immediate and knowledgeable intervention can make a critical difference in emergency situations, stabilising patients and preventing complications,” it said.
The MRC said there was a general lack of first aid knowledge among the public.
“Many individuals may not recognise the importance of first aid training until they encounter an emergency.
“This includes the perception that emergencies are rare and professional help will always arrive in time, leading to complacency about learning first aid,” it added.
The MRC also noted a lack of confidence and preparedness, where the person may doubt his ability to perform first aid correctly, besides having concerns about legal liability if something goes wrong.
The MRC said it is prepared to work with government agencies to address this issue.
Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz agreed that AEDs can help revive someone with SCA.
Thus, improving accessibility to AEDs can be life-saving, she said.
“The MMA will welcome any government support to improve in this area. However, it is also important to educate the people on using an AED.
