The Quebec government will spend more than $3 million to provide an automated external defibrillator to all public schools that do not already have one.
According to the government, this means 1,558 defibrillators will be purchased and installed to ensure that every primary school, secondary school and training center has such a device.
“These devices can save lives,” recalled the Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, in a press release.
“Since the safety of students and staff in our schools is a priority, it is important to equip all our public schools with defibrillators,” he argued.
The government has not provided a specific timeline for the deployment of the defibrillators, but it wants the devices to be installed “rapidly over the coming months.”
“The money was granted to school service centers in the last few weeks. They therefore have the necessary amounts at this time to proceed with the purchase of defibrillators,” indicated Minister Drainville’s office by email.
According to the most recent data, 93% of secondary schools already have at least one defibrillator, but this proportion drops to 51% for primary schools and 70% for vocational training centers and general adult education centers. .
Tuesday’s announcement will make it possible to correct the situation and increase this rate to 100%.
This measure follows the long-standing campaign of Doctor Paul Poirier, who is a cardiologist and full professor at the University Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology of Quebec and who has campaigned for several years for all schools to be equipped with a defibrillator. .
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a small portable device that analyzes the heart rhythm of a person in distress and triggers an electrical discharge to correct any abnormal electrical activity of the heart.
Its main advantage is its ability to analyze the rhythm of the heart and advise to trigger a shock only if necessary, so that its user does not need to make the decision himself.
“If a rhythm that can be corrected by electric shock is not detected, the device advises against shock and instead recommends that the healthcare provider initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive “, explains the Heart and Stroke Foundation in an information sheet.
“When an AED and CPR are used immediately, the chances of survival for the person experiencing sudden cardiac arrest are significantly improved,” she adds.
Asked whether Tuesday’s announcement means that all new schools will also be equipped with a defibrillator when they open, Minister Drainville’s office responded: “We would, in fact, hope that all public schools in Quebec have one. defibrillator. »