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Medical

MLC 2006 and owners’ obligations to defibrillators on lease to UK-based

crew health.”
companies.
Mrs O’Hara Lee added: “In Mr Macdonald said one company,

general first aid there is, but I think which had resisted putting them
that people are still scared of it and
onboard its vessels, now had in response

to one of its longest-serving employees they are not necessarily fully aware
having a heart attack while at sea, of what it does or how it does it and

adding: “Had they had a defib, there is therefore they are perhaps a little bit
every likelihood that he would still be reluctant to invest in it.”

here today.”
In answer to this problem, The

Medical Warehouse has just launched Martek Marine has several life-
a new website – www.defibhub.co.uk –
saving stories to tell about the use of

which allows the user to get advice and its defibs on both sea and land. In one
compare defibrillators. The site tells the incident, last June, crew members on

into the Implementation of Automated user what each device can do, in the US ferry Croatoan used an AED to
External Defibrillators on Merchant layman’s terms, and everything from save their captain when he went into

Ships, in Hamburg, investigated the the weight of it to what type of kit it cardiac arrest and were subsequently
effect of training ship officers in the should fit in and who it might be good honoured with ‘Extra Mile

handling of AEDs and their for – for instance an individual or a Awards’ from the Department of
perceptions concerning the user- small team working remotely. The site Transportation.

friendliness of defibrillators.
also gives information on what There is currently a campaign in

accessories are needed with the the UK to put defibrillators into empty Using four different AEDs, 130
defibrillator, how often things like the phone boxes and they have also been officers performed a total of 400

batteries and pads should be changed, put in cabinets in public places resuscitation drills – with performances
and when it needs to be tested.
like halls.
timed and questionnaires about the

user-friendliness of each AED. Without “On a daily basis we have so many “I know people are still scared of
resuscitation training, 81.7% of all people asking questions about the them but medics realise the value of

those using one particular device different defibs and asking if there is them. Otherwise you are relying on
delivered an effective defibrillation somewhere they can look to compare CPR and in that kind of situation, it’s

shock and after a seven-hour them and there really isn’t anywhere only really a defib that will save them,”
resuscitation training with special that is unbiased. That’s why we came said Mrs O’Hara Lee.

regard to defibrillation, all ship officers up with the site,” said Mrs O’Hara-Lee. She said the maritime sector is also
used the AED correctly. The voice “We are not biased because we sell so responding to the awareness

prompts and the screen messages of all many different types.”
campaign: “They used to ask to take

AEDs were well understood by all who Defibrillators range in price from out certain items from our maritime
took part.
£800 to about £2,500 depending on kits and the AED was one of them,

Ian Couldwell, AED Product whether you want an ECG whereas now, the AED is pretty much
Manager at Martek Marine, said the (electrocardiogram) with it, but the standard in all of them.

general objections were that people main ones cost around £1,000.
“They are also a lot less bulky than
think you have to be medically trained “It is a cost, but it only takes one they used to be and although this

to use the devices: “This is not true as person to use it once to be worthwhile,” shouldn’t be a consideration, it often
the defibs cannot make a mistake and said Mrs O’Hara-Lee.
is, because people think of all the stuff

will not charge the shock unless the John Macdonald said Hutton’s that has to be carried onboard and
patient is suffering a cardiac arrest. Medical was also receiving more how easy it is to get to it. Now they are

Another objection is legal worries – but enquiries but still felt we are a long way quite slimline and light. More and

there has never been a successful case off having defibs on every vessel: “There more offices too also have them,
won against someone who attempted is still this big problem of getting over particularly the big corporates where

resuscitation.”
things that are not mandatory. No matter there is a duty of care. They are
Is there more awareness now about what it says in the MLC – if it’s not buying them along with their first

just how crucial defibrillation can be in mandatory, they won’t buy it as it is an aid kits.”
saving lives?
expense they don’t need to have.”
She added: “AEDs are so simple to

use and maintain, and the benefits of Mr Couldwell believes there In response to the excuse of cost,
carrying one are just so vast.” definitely is: “Particularly concerning
Hutton’s Medical is now offering

I

34 The SHIP Supplier Issue 61 2014