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Singapore Heart Foundation Adds 20,000 Face Masks and Hand Sanitisers to AED Cabinets to Keep Community First Responders Safe
Singapore, 16 October 2020 – In conjunction with the World Restart a Heart Day today, Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) launched an initiative to provide face masks and hand sanitiser sachets at 10,000 publicly accessible AED cabinets across the nation. SHF will contribute 20,000 face masks and hand sanitiser sachets to protect Community First-Responders (CFRs) when they attend to cardiac arrest incidents during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2019, there were more than 3,3001 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Singapore. Every minute that passes reduces a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival by 7 to 10%. The annual commemoration of World Restart a Heart Day aims to sustain awareness of the need to learn CPR+AED skills, so that if the need arises, bystanders can render help quickly. With cardiovascular disease being one of the top causes of death in Singapore, CFRs are crucial to the survival of victims of cardiac arrest.
“Singapore Heart Foundation wants to not only encourage people to step up and become community first-responders, but at the same time ensure that these heroes stay safe when they assist in cardiac arrest incidents. Last year, over 60,000 people were CPR+AED trained in Singapore2. We hope that by adding face masks and hand sanitisers into the publicly accessible AED cabinets across Singapore, we can help to dispel any fear that the public may have about the spread of COVID-19 and encourage bystanders to continue to help save lives,” said Mr Vernon Kang, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Heart Foundation.
“SCDF activates the CFRs via the myResponder mobile app for suspected cardiac cases. Their timely interventions have made, and will continue to make a positive difference during life and death situations. We know the current COVID-19 situation may raise concerns amongst CFRs about their personal safety when they respond to cardiac arrest cases. We have therefore advised all CFRs to perform chest-compressions-only CPR and to put on a mask when doing so. We are heartened that many CFRs are still actively responding to suspected cardiac arrest cases. I hope that the placement of the face masks and hand sanitisers in the publicly accessible AED cabinets will ease any concerns and reinforce our commitment to ensure their personal safety,” said AC Yazid Abdullah, Director, Volunteer and Community Partnership Department, Singapore Civil Defence Force.
For advisory on the safety precautions to take when performing CPR during this pandemic period, please click here.
Virtual CPR+AED training initiatives
In addition to this initiative, SHF has also adapted its CPR+AED certification course and complimentary non-certification training amid the pandemic, leveraging digital platforms.
The CPR+AED certification course is now conducted in a blended learning format where participants learn the theory of CPR+AED online before going into the physical classroom for the hands-on session and assessment. This reduces the amount of time that trainees need to be physically in class. From July 2020 to date, more than 200 participants have been certified through this blended learning programme.
From October 2020 onwards, the complimentary non-certification “Restart A Heart” programme will also be conducted via online video conferencing for groups of people larger than 20. Even though trainees will not be practicing on an actual manikin, they will be taught how to put together their own homemade manikins using everyday household items, so that they can practise hands-on CPR at home. Five companies have already signed up for this pilot virtual programme. These participating companies will receive 3 sets of CPR 3A kits3, which their staff can use to practise CPR.
“The virtual Restart A Heart programme was very engaging, interlaced with Zoom polls and hands-on activities led by the friendly instructors for us participants to take part in, albeit remotely. Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) adopted innovative ways to make learning fun and memorable. We were taught how to make a DIY manikin to practice CPR – simply by using items we already have in our homes. Also, we learnt how to correctly count the chest compressions when performing CPR. The hour-long programme was informational and educational and will definitely come in handy in times of emergencies. Kudos to SHF and its instructors for equipping us with important life-saving skills!” said Mr Mark Mah, Executive Director, Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations.
“Sudden cardiac arrest cases happen with or without COVID-19, and 80% of these incidents happen out of hospital, i.e. at home or in public places. If the person nearest to the casualty can perform CPR and AED immediately when cardiac arrest strikes, the casualty’s chance of survival will double. For this reason, the Singapore Heart Foundation believes that it is critical to continue imparting these essential life-saving skills even during this pandemic,” said Mr Kang.
Since 2016, SCDF has also conducted the ‘Community Emergency Preparedness Programme’ (CEPP) online module one, which includes lessons on Improvised First Aid Skills (IFAS) Plus and Fire Safety. In August this year, SCDF rolled out the CEPP online module two which includes lessons on CPR-AED, first aid, basic firefighting and SGSecure. To date, more than 32,000 individuals have participated in SCDF’s CEPP online modules that also include online quizzes.
For more information about the Singapore Heart Foundation CPR+AED certification course as well as other courses and programmes available, please click here.
For more information about the SCDF’s CEPP online modules, please visit https://go.gov.sg/cepp.
1 Singapore Civil Defence Force
2 https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.017230
3 https://www.myheart.org.sg/techniques/cpr-3a-kit/
