Make it Mandatory for AEDs to be Installed at Sporting Facilities, Youth & Sports Minister Says

YOUTH & Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has called for all sporting facilities in the country to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to better tackle medical emergencies especially heart attacks.

Hannah said AEDs were not mandatory at sporting facilities presently but due to the increasing number of medical emergencies occurring when people came out to exercise, this has become an essential part of the facilities.

“AEDs can help save lives. My ministry has proposed to the Housing and Local Government Ministry to include this requirement for sporting facilities (public or private) across the country to install the device.”

“I have approached the Subang Jaya City Council to spearhead this initiative by including the requirement for AEDs to be installed in sporting facilities as part of the license renewal,” she said while at the Subang Jaya Community Youth Football League event in USJ4.

Hannah was commenting on the recent case in a sporting facility in USJ1 where a 49-year-old badminton player collapsed during a match. The victim did not survive.

Presently AEDs can be found mostly in shopping malls. MBSJ has AEDs within their building in USJ5.

Subang MP Wong Chen who was also at the same event said, “I fully support the policy of having AEDs in all sporting facilities in Subang Jaya as we have an aging population who are very active in sports.”

“I want to see our elderly folks continue to be active sportsmen and this enthusiasm should be matched by safety measures and procedures. Having said that and myself being an active and aging badminton player, some self-restraint should also be exercised,” he said.

“Have fun and remain active but you need regular medical check-ups and don’t push too hard. Lastly, I would also like to recommend the adoption of pickleball, a less stressful game that can be played on the badminton court,” he added.

ADUN Subang Jaya Michelle Ng supports the call for AEDs to be installed at sporting facilities.

“We welcome this development. Subang Jaya has had two known incidents where badminton players collapsed. Unfortunately both passed away.”

“Mandating AEDs would certainly curb such incidents. Whilst waiting for licensing requirements, sports complex should take their own initiative and install them on their own accord,” she said.

What Is an Automated External Defibrillator?

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a lightweight, portable device. It delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart when it detects an abnormal rhythm and changes the rhythm back to normal.

AEDs help people who have a sudden cardiac arrest, which occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating regularly. This happens when the heart’s natural electrical system doesn’t work correctly. If not treated within minutes, cardiac arrest quickly leads to death.

Why are AEDs important?

AEDs save lives. They are an important part of responding to a cardiac arrest. A person’s chance of surviving drops by 7% to 10% every minute a normal heartbeat isn’t restored. So, immediate CPR and AED use can double or triple the person’s chance of survival. CPR combined with using an AED provides the best chance of saving a life. If possible, use an AED every time you provide CPR.

Who can use an AED?

AEDs are intended for use by the general public (lay responders). They are portable, safe, accurate and easy to use. Non-medical personnel, such as police, firefighters, flight attendants and security guards, are trained to use AEDs. Other people who have been trained in CPR also can use them. Although formal AED training isn’t required, it’s recommended to help you increase your level of confidence using it.

How does an AED work?

The AED uses voice prompts, lights and text to tell the rescuer the steps to take.

Source: American Heart Institute