Islanders are queuing up to learn how to operate equipment that could save the lives of heart attack victims.

The St. John Ambulance Brigade is running courses on how to use portable heart defibrillators. The rapid response capability the machines provide can dramatically increase survival chances for those suffering cardiac arrests.

And the response to the course has been so impressive that the brigade is now putting on extra classes.

"We've had a very positive response for the first course -- it's fully booked so we've opened up February,'' said St. John Ambulance executive director Susan Parsons.

She added that in one day she received 16 phone calls and seven e-mails inquiring about the courses.

There are three defibrillators already in place on the Island and within the next two weeks, Ms Parsons said that five more will be added at different locations. The brigade is now approaching Government about having the machines placed in all Government buildings.

The machines -- Heartstream FR2s -- cost between $4,400 and $4,600 and are sold as a kit complete with extra battery and shock-proof carrying case.

They weigh less than five pounds, are self-testing and, with the extra battery, they will work for ten years. The Brigade would like them to become as common in offices as the first aid kit.

Studies show that, if defibrillation is applied within two minutes of a person suffering an arrest, they are 86 percent more likely to walk out of hospital.

If it is applied within two to four minutes, the person's chances of survival are 46 percent better but after eight minutes they are only two to four percent better.

And Ms Parsons said that as defibrillators have now become so commonplace in North America, Bermuda may find itself in a position where should a person suffer an arrest in a building where there is no defibrillator, litigation might arise.

Those already holding CPR certification can add the defibrillator training through a three- to four-hour course at a cost of $45. The other course offering CPR and defibrillator training costs $65 and takes between four and six hours to complete.

Using the machines is so easy that studies have shown a ten-year-old can successfully operate it, but Ms Parsons stresses that, as a professional organisation, the Brigade is urging as many people to become certified in using them as possible.

When defibrillation occurs with the Heartsteams, the event bears little resemblance to what people have become accustomed to seeing on television programmes such as ER, as The Royal Gazette learned when the Brigade's Fred Pereech and Franz Egnolf gave a demonstration.

Due to ease of use and effectiveness when applied quickly, the Brigade would like to see the defibrillators in Government buildings, churches, bars, at the airport and generally anywhere that groups gather.

"When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, and is recognised as unresponsive, the reactions should be simultaneous to call 911 and call for someone to get the nearest defibrillator,'' said Mr. Pereech.

The Brigade is now taking bookings for classes running on Tuesdays from 6 to 9.30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 till 3 p.m.