The Nanjing Metro system has joined the growing list of cities in China to have installed Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) therein for public use in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, in a move that highlights growing awareness for the condition.
In the early morning of 27 November, during the shooting of the TV show “追我吧” (Chase Me)，Chinese actor Gao Yixiang suddenly fainted while running and lost consciousness. He was taken away by ambulance 10 minutes later. At noon the same day, Gao’s agency confirmed his death, and the program issued a statement saying that it was due to sudden cardiac arrest.
After the incident, many experts pointed out that the use of an AED and/or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) are the most effective ways to prevent sudden death, but only if the treatment can be applied within 4 minutes of cardiac arrest.
The global incidence of sudden death from cardiac arrest is some nine million cases each year, with 1.6 million occuring in China. However, at present, the deployment of AEDs in China is extremely limited, and public proficiency in their use also is also far from that of other countries.
Talking to China News Weekly, Feng Geng, a lecturer at the Training Centre of the Chinese Red Cross Association, said, “AED equipment in China is not widespread; the number is the small, and many people do not use it. There are other reasons besides economic issues. In many places, a device worth tens or hundreds of thousands or renminbi that you put there today may not be there tomorrow. Relatively speaking, the training and popularisation of related skills is easy”.
AED is a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device first-aid device that can perform electrical defibrillation in patients with heart attacks and help restore heart rhythm in patients with ventricular fibrillation. An AED device is like a point-and-shoot camera. It provides voice prompt and the rescuer need just follow along.
Many other cities in China have installed AEDs in their metro systems, while other kinds of public areas and institutions, such as schools, are gradually following suit. Here in Nanjing, both Nanjing International School and The British School of Nanjing have AEDs installed therein.
The AEDs located in Nanjing’s metro stations are secured behind glass that can be broken and the AED removed within 5 seconds. Below the complete list of metro stations with AED on the Nanjing Metro system.
Nanjing Metro Line 1
Maigao Qiao, Xuanwu Men, Zhujiang Lu, Nanjing Railway Station, Gulou, Sanshan Jie, Xinjiekou, Andemen, Nanjing South Railway Station
Nanjing Metro Line 2
Youfang Qiao, Yuantong, Olympic Stadium East, Shanghai Lu, Xinjiekou, Daxinggong, Muxuyuan, Xiamafang, Maqun
Nanjing Metro Line 3
Daxinggong, Nanjing Railway Station, Jiming Temple, Fengtai Lu, Liuzhoudong Lu, Fuzimiao
Nanjing Metro Line 4
Caochangmen, Gulou, Jiming Temple, Jima Lu
Nanjing Metro Line 10
Andemen
Nanjing Metro Line S1
Nanjing South Railway Station, South Xiangyu Lu, Nanjing Lukou International Airport
Nanjing Metro Line S3
Youfang Qiao
Nanjing Metro Line S7
Konggangxincheng Jiangning Station
Nanjing Metro Line S9
Gaochun
