Educated Staff

A number of members of staff (reception, janitorial and help desk) have received training in how to perform CPR and how to use the defibrillator.

"Because time is crucial for survival in such situations, it is of utmost importance that the person gets the right help as quickly as possible," says Anneli Strömsöe from Medical Science at Dalarna University.

One in Ten Survive

Anneli is involved in a research project that looks at people who were treated for cardiac arrest outside the walls of a hospital.

"Each year, some 10 000 people are treated for cardiac arrest and about 4 500 of these are treated outside a hospital. Currently, only about ten percent of them survive," Anneli further explains.

"Talk" with the User

The defibrillators can be found in unlocked cabinets, and voice prompts brief the user as to its use as soon as it is removed from the cabinet. An alarm also sounds to let those people who are trained in its use know that a situation has arisen. After the user puts electrodes on the afflicted person, the defibrillator senses whether or not electric shocks are required. It is technically impossible to apply an electric shock if one is not required.

"If the person requires an electric shock, it is important that one is given at the same time as CPR. If the apparatus is located far from the incident, it is important that CPR is initiated to increase the success of the treatment once the defibrillator can be used," says Anneli.

Swedish Resuscitation Council (Svenska rådet för hjärt- lungräddning) 

Facts on Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating. The individual loses consciousness and stops breathing, and there is no pulse. In many cases, the heart requires an electric shock to get it beating again.

The number 112 is to be called in an emergency, and personnel at the call centre will know where to find the nearest defibrillator.


This image indicates where to find a defibrillator.
Signs will be set up soon.