When are the defibrillators at Aarhus BSS used in action?
Following a partial relocation of the school defibrillators, 15 first aid defibrillators are now available on the outside of buildings at Aarhus BSS. History shows that in the case of sudden cardiac arrest, exterior defibrillators are the ones that citizen responders pick up and use.
4 exterior first aid defibrillators at Fuglesangs Allé, 1 in Herning and 10 in the North-East Corner of the University Park, including Tåsingegade and across Ringgaden. That is how many options citizen responders now have for collecting a defibrillator at Aarhus BSS – even outside of the buildings’ opening hours.
Previously, the school defibrillators were primarily located indoors, except for a couple of exterior ones in Herning and at Fuglesangs Allé. Now, a partial relocation has ensured that a majority of defibrillators are hung on the outside façade of buildings instead.
Defibrillators are now more accessible, visible and easy to find
“There are several benefits of exterior defibrillators,” says Henrik Friis Bach from Aarhus BSS Building Services.
“First of all, the equipment has become more accessible. Exterior defibrillators are ready for use 24/7, and they are easier to access for the public,” Henrik Friis Bach points out.
“In addition, it is faster to find a defibrillator mounted outside a main entrance. In popular terms, citizen responders previously risked encountering a description in which they had to go down several hallways and take a right in order to locate the defibrillator,” says Henrik Friis Bach and adds:
“Last but not least, the fact that the equipment is now mounted outside in crowded areas means that the defibrillators will be more visible during day-to-day activities. Both in the eyes of staff, students and other visitors to campus.”
Gain an overview of all defibrillators at hjertestarter.dk (the map is in Danish)
School defibrillators in action
The school initially purchased its first defibrillators following an assessment of the teaching environment back in 2010. In this assessment, several students expressed their surprise that there was no first aid equipment available at campus, including defibrillators.
This resulted in the purchase of the first defibrillators, which were primarily hung inside the buildings. The number has subsequently increased.
At Fuglesangs Allé, a single defibrillator has been available outside the buildings until now. And history shows that there are good reasons for mounting the equipment on the exterior walls.
“As far as I know, none of the interior defibrillators have ever been used. But in my estimation, citizen responders have picked up our single exterior defibrillator for a sudden cardiac arrest response approximately 1-3 times a year for the last five years,” says Knud Simonsen, buildings inspector at campus Fuglesangs Allé.
You get no information if and how the defibrillator is used in practice when removed by a citizen responder. The maintenance offices around campus just make sure that the equipment receives the necessary technical review following a cardiac arrest response, ensuring that it is ready for action the next time.