Cardiac Arrest v Heart Attack

Thank you to all the 21,500+ people that have signed this petition so far. This is a fantastic start, but only a start! We are entering the busiest period of air travel as many families jet off for a week or two in the sun. Let's remember why this petition was launched and keep the message going by sharing this petition with everyone you know. There is a lot of confusion out there between a Heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). They are NOT the same thing and need to be treated very differently. A Heart Attack occurs when a blockage in an artery prevents oxygen rich blood from reaching the heart, damaging a portion of the affected heart muscle. The longer it is left, the greater the damage. Symptoms often increase over hours, days or even weeks before a Heart Attack. In the vast majority of cases the heart continues to beat. Treatment for a Heart Attack is to get the victim to relax and get them to hospital as soon as possible. A Sudden Cardiac Arrest occurs when there is a sudden disturbance to the normal Heart Rhythm which prevents the heart from beating effectively, thereby starving the brain, lungs and other organs of oxygenated blood. This can happen to anyone at any time, irrespective of their general health and age. The victim will lose consciousness quickly and will die within minutes if there is no immediate treatment. Treatment is to act immediately: This is known as 'The Chain of Survival' Get someone to ring the emergency services or, if on an aircraft, ensure the pilot immediately diverts to the nearest airport. 1) Identify that the person is unresponsive, has lost consciousness, their heart has stopped and they are not breathing (normally). 2) Start CPR immediately (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - or chest compressions) - I've heard the beat to the Bee Gees 'Staying Alive' is very effective. 3) Find and use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) as quickly as possible. (Modern AEDs are easy to use and give all the instructions you need as you employ them). 4) Get the patient to a hospital as soon as possible. N.B Most Heart Attacks do not result in Sudden Cardiac Arrest, though Heart Attacks are a common cause of SCA. It is the need for immediate action that makes the availability of AEDs on all aircraft so important, so come on Ryanair, start carrying AEDs on all your flights. Please share this as widely as possible and make sure you know where your nearest AED is in your community, club or workplace.