Distribution of automated defibrillators to clubs of people of determination in the UAE
The UAE Special Olympics, in cooperation with the National Ambulance, has started providing and installing automated defibrillators (AED) inside sports clubs for the people of determination at the state level, and this comes within the framework of the third phase of the “Train Safely” initiative, which includes the comprehensive application of safe training for people of determination with intellectual disabilities. And developmental programs with the aim of providing them with the highest level of health care, and it comes after the completion of the theoretical and practical training stages on first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated defibrillators that the sports coaches have undergone, followed by specialized technical training on managing these devices in public places to ensure their correct use and intervention. Rapid in emergency situations, which increases the chances of saving lives and reducing complications to provide a safe training environment for players of determination within international safety standards.
The devices were presented and their importance in saving lives was highlighted during a ceremony hosted by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in the presence of His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of the UAE Special Olympics, Ahmed Al Hajri, CEO of National Ambulance, Abdullah Al Wahaibi, Director of the Clubs and Talent Development Department at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Dr. Ayman Ahmed, Administrative and Executive Medical Director In the National Ambulance, Professor Ahed Al-Najjar, Director of Medical Education and Research of Emergency Medical Services in the National Ambulance, representatives of the People of Determination clubs in the country and coaches of various sports accredited in the Special Olympics.
The National Director of the Emirati Special Olympics, Talal Al Hashemi, praised the fruitful and constructive cooperation with the National Ambulance, winner of the Golisano Local Award for Health Leadership, for its support and promotion of the health and safety of people of determination, noting that the cooperation between the two sides began in 2019 and has developed significantly and significantly over the past period to serve people of determination. He stressed that the development of sports programs in the Special Olympics is subject to a sustainable vision that works to improve all factors of the sports sector and its various axes, such as facilities, stadiums, professional and specialized competencies, technologies and devices to save life.
Ahmed Saleh Al-Hajri, CEO of the National Ambulance, pointed out that the Special Olympics’ keenness to provide AED devices that support the life and health of players in sports centers is a pioneering step that will undoubtedly contribute to improving the efficiency of the infrastructure of sports institutions and bodies for people of determination and raising their readiness to deal with emergency situations to become a role model. It is carried out locally and globally, stressing the importance of providing these devices, the presence of which is a necessity in all public and sports facilities.
Al-Hajri added: “The launch of a new third phase of the Safe Trail initiative reflects our commitment to social responsibility and the success of the partnership between the National Ambulance and the Emirati Special Olympics to serve our children from the Special Olympics, which resulted in the achievement of many joint achievements that raised the levels of safety for people of determination and strengthened prevention and emergency culture among the community. their coaches."
The third phase of the "Safe Trail" initiative includes providing advanced equipment with the necessary technical training to manage and use it in the first aid process until the arrival of the competent ambulance crews from 8 different locations around the country, and more centers will follow in the next stages, namely the Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination, Al Ain Club For People of Determination, Al Dhafra Club for People of Determination, Dubai Club for People of Determination, Al Thiqa Club for the Disabled, Ras Al Khaimah Club for People of Determination, Khorfakkan Club for the Disabled, and Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.
This step is a continuation of the joint cooperation in the "Safe Trail" initiative between the UAE Special Olympics and the National Ambulance last year, to provide the safe training environment and the highest level of health care for players of determination with intellectual and developmental disabilities during sports competitions by empowering their coaches with the necessary knowledge and skills To provide first aid in local communities within clubs and centers for people of determination in the country.
The mechanical defibrillator device is used when symptoms of cardiac arrest appear, including loss of consciousness, natural breathing stop, pulse cessation, and the absence of any signs of circulatory activity. And a high degree of safety, as it analyzes the heartbeat and signals, and determines based on this the extent of the need to give the patient electric shocks.
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