Strada dei Parchi has launched a crucial initiative for the health and safety of highway users to make the service areas of the A24 and A25 highways cardioprotected, able to deal with cardiac emergencies promptly, saving lives in some cases. The plan was launched in the summer with the installation of the first four life-saving stations, two in Lazio and two in Abruzzo, in the Tiburtina Sud, Colle Tasso Nord, Civita Sud and Civita Nord service areas on the A24 highway between Rome and Carsoli. The goal is to extend the project to all service areas up to Teramo and Pescara by 2026, equipping the entire network with this vital first-aid health facility.
This initiative is designed to combat sudden cardiac arrest, a leading cause of death globally, which can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere. Early intervention is crucial: the chances of survival decrease by about 10 percent every minute. Therefore, it is critical that defibrillators are always ready for use and accessible to everyone.
The defibrillators installed in special cases near the entrances to the service areas comply with Law 116 of Aug. 4, 2021, and are equipped with technology that makes their use simple and intuitive even for those without special training. Point-of-sale personnel in the Service Areas have been properly trained, but the device’s voice guidance and clear instructions make it possible for anyone on site to intervene.
As a reminder, for all emergencies it is advisable to first call the Single European Number 112. This number is free and active 24 hours a day, and will put you in touch with an operator who can sort the request to the appropriate agencies: Medical Rescue, Police, Carabinieri, Fire Department.
How to use the defibrillator in case of need
The device is designed for inexperienced rescuers, suitable for all settings, because in an emergency situation, every second is precious. Thanks to this device anyone can save a life. In summary, these are the essential steps for proper use of the defibrillator:
Preparation: lift the lid of the device; it will automatically turn on and begin to provide step-by-step voice and visual instructions. A button will allow you to choose the desired language, from Italian, English and French.
Electrode application: the electrodes are already connected and easy to take out, they just need to be applied to the patient’s chest. The defibrillator automatically recognizes the type of electrode inserted, adjusting the defibrillation energy accordingly.
Analysis and discharge: the device analyzes the heart rhythm and decides whether an electrical discharge is needed, adjusting the adult/pediatric defibrillation energy. Systematic precharge allows rapid delivery as soon as needed. The rescuer cannot force the discharge if the device does not deem it necessary.
Resuscitation: the defibrillator has a unique feature called FreeCPR® that helps the rescuer perform chest compressions by indicating the correct hand position and provides real-time feedback on the frequency of compressions. Chest compressions are critical and must be of quality to maintain good oxygen flow to organs.
With this important garrison, soon to be extended to the entire network, Strada dei Parchi reaffirms its commitment to the health and safety of its users and ranks among the first cardioprotected highway sections in Italy.
