Heart health
Singapore launches first CPR kiosks in Asia in a move for people to learn the live-saving skill.
SINGAPORE: Members of the public can learn more about cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at eight new CPR kiosks, the first ones in Asia.
The Singapore Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the Singapore Resuscitation and First Aid Council, launched the self-learning kiosks on Saturday to raise awareness of the life-saving skill.
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Singapore where, on average, more than 2,000 out-ofhospital cardiac arrests occur yearly.
The victim’s chance of surviving decreases by about 7% for every minute that passes, the Singapore Heart Foundation said in a press release.
It hopes to increase the response rate with the CPR kiosks, which were launched in conjunction with National Heart Week/World Heart Day 2018.
Each kiosk lets users try CPR by using their hands to perform chest compressions on a mannequin’s torso. There are short written instructions and an informational video.
The mannequin’s head lights up with the right depth and rate of chest compressions. In hands-only CPR, the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in conventional CPR is eliminated.
“There is evidence that using hands alone is life-saving. Some people aren’t comfortable with mouth-tomouth,” said Singapore Heart Foundation chairman Professor Terrance Chua.
The kiosks are located in “high-traf- fic” areas such as universities and cinemas, and there are plans to put more at 13 other places, he said.
The kiosks are located at Chevron House, National Heart Centre Singapore, National Institute of Education, Northpoint City, Singapore Institute of Management, Singapore Institute of Technology, The Cathay Cineplex and Toa Payoh HDB Hub.