Life-saving defibrillators should be in every business, school, shop and Government building since legislation was passed almost six years ago, according to an international clinical director.

In June 2002 the Government introduced regulations for the Automated External Defibrillators (AED), which it hoped would increase the number of devices across the Island.

Only the hospitals, Police, ambulances and doctors had the machines in 2002.

After introducing the regulations, Government had hoped businesses across the Island would buy and install the machines because it had set-up a register to regulate them and to ensure those using them are properly trained.

Yesterday, Steve Jelfs, the International Clinical Director for Cardiac Science Corporation, who is on the island to raise awareness alongside the Bermuda Red Cross, said he welcomed any action the Government took.

He said efforts needed to be made community-wide. He said: "It does not seem the Government has done anything about it since it went through, but in this day and age we cannot expect them to do everything.

"The thrust has got to come from Government but I think we can all decide together to save lives. Fifty people die from sudden cardiac arrest, which AED's could save.

"I want to show the seminar how small and easy to use they are. It's a very, very important issue and I am trying to raise awareness."

The problem, according to Mr. Jelfs is that people never think it's going to be them.

Even with healthy initiatives like the Live Healthy Bermuda 100 Day Challenge and this newspaper's Have a Heart campaign, something needs to be done here and now.

It only takes minutes for someone in sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) to die, which makes immediate care from laypersons using AEDs a matter of life and death.

Every year more than 400,000 people die in the US from SCA and in Bermuda that number is about 100 people every year.

For every minute defibrillation is delayed the survival rate of someone experiencing SCA, falls by ten percent, making it imperative for everyone to learn how to use an AED.

The hospital survival rate rises from five percent without AEDs to more than 70 percent.

That's why Mr. Jelfs's along with the Ann Spencer-Arscott, the Director of the Bermuda Red Cross will be hosting a seminar for Government, businesses and schools tomorrow morning.

Mr. Jelfs added: "It's important to teach people to eat healthy and to exercise, but the AED is about the here and now. It's not just about the long term, but it's also about now."

Compounding the need for AEDs is that sudden cardiac arrest can affect not only the elderly and unfit, but can also affect those in the prime of the youth.

Footballers are struck down while on the pitch and unforeseen heart conditions take the athletes before they're ready.

So far 40 AEDs have been placed in public places and corporations across the Island.

That's why these machines need to be introduced into places frequented by the public and more information needs to be out there, according to Mrs. Spencer- Arscott. She said: "We are very aware of the need for the public at large to be kept informed of how they can better take care of themselves and be in a position to help others.

"Now that the AED machines have been granted a duty free status, this has helped to bring the cost of the machines down.

"It must be known that these machines do not leave our office until we have a minimum of 4 persons from the organisation fully trained in CPR and AED."

For further information contact: Steve Jelfs on +447712049119 or by email at sjelfs@cardiacscience.com and Petra Spencer-Arscott on 236-8253 or redcrosssafety@logic.bm.