Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong, East China’s Jiangsu province, recently installs its first automated external defibrillator for public use, at Yong’an square. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong News]

Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong, in eastern Jiangsu province, recently got its first automated external defibrillator, or AED, to be deployed at a public venue.

The AED is located at Yong’an Square, which usually sees large flows of people. 

An AED is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock or defibrillation through the chest to the heart. 

The shock can potentially stop an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest. The attack occurs when the heart malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly. If not treated within minutes, it quickly leads to death.

The units make it possible for more people to respond to a medical emergency where defibrillation is required. 

Currently, the only way to restore a regular heart rhythm during cardiac arrest is to use a defibrillator, according to the American Red Cross.

The unit in Qidong was donated by Li Xinhua, principal of an English training institute in Qidong. 

“Things would be different had there been an AED nearby,” said Li, explaining the motivation behind his donation of the medical facility.

He said that one of his relatives died of sudden cardiac arrest a few days ago.

“An AED is easy to use. Most AEDs use audible voice prompts to guide the user through the process,” Li added, when asked how to use it.

In early March, staff members from the local Red Cross delivered a training course on how to use an AED to 12 teachers working at Li’s English training institute. All of them passed the training and got certificates to use the device. 

The local authorities also laid emphasis on protection of the public medical facility, and installed monitors to warn against any vandalism.  

A staff member from the Qidong Red Cross demonstrates how to respond to a medical emergency. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong News]