Saving lives in Plate: New defibrillators introduced for the community!

Saving lives in Plate: New defibrillators introduced for the community!

Two publicly accessible defibrillators were recently presented in the municipality of Plate, in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district near Schwerin. The official event took place on Friday, when experts demonstrated how to operate the devices correctly. These defibrillators are particularly designed to be used by laypeople and offer helpful voice instructions during use. Loud NDR The two devices we purchased cost a total of around 5,000 euros, including assembly.'

Why are such defibrillators so important? Sudden cardiac death can affect anyone, and the number of unreported cases is alarmingly high. In Germany, around 65,000 people die from it every year. The chief physician of cardiology, Prof. Dr. Stefan Baumann, explains that cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation can lead to functional cardiac arrest. At this critical moment, every second counts. There is a risk of irreversible damage to the brain after just three to five minutes without oxygen. ZDF highlights that many laypeople start resuscitation measures too late, which significantly reduces the chances of survival.

Public education and future plans

Mayor Madlen Spelling from the Plate Municipality Voter Group (WGP) announced that more defibrillators are planned for the municipality in the future. Installing these life-saving devices is an important step in increasing the chances of survival in the event of sudden cardiac death. According to that NDR The need for such measures is clear: immediate help is crucial.

Dr. Simon Orlob, an assistant doctor at the Medical University of Graz and board member of the Working Group for Emergency Medicine, emphasizes the inseparable connection between the use of a defibrillator and chest compressions. “Everyone can save lives with their own hands,” he explains. The defibrillator offers valuable support, but only increases the chances of success in combination with chest compressions. In Graz, where around 160 to 170 people suffer from cardiac arrest every year, only 16 survive this critical situation.

The most important steps in a cardiac arrest

These are simple but crucial measures that must be taken in an emergency:

• Notruf (112) absetzen.
• Die betroffene Person flach auf den Rücken legen.
• Herzdruckmassage mit 100-120 Druckbewegungen pro Minute durchführen.

A helpful reminder for chest compressions is the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. Every minute without resuscitation reduces the probability of survival by 10 to 15 percent. This makes it clear that quick action is essential and that everyone, even without medical expertise, can bridge valuable seconds through their actions. ZDF is certain: doing nothing is always the wrong decision.

The introduction of defibrillators in Plate represents a significant step towards a faster and more effective response to medical emergencies. These initiatives should serve as a model for other communities to improve life-saving measures across the region.