Lifesaver for Aurich: New defibrillator strengthens emergency care

Lifesaver for Aurich: New defibrillator strengthens emergency care

An urgently needed device that can save lives in an emergency is being handed over in the Aurich district. On December 2, 2025, the ceremonial handover of a defibrillator monitor with AED function to the Aurich local branch of Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe took place. This was celebrated with a small ceremony that ended with a shared lunch. The donors, including the Sparkasse Aurich-Norden and the Raiffeisenvolksbank, helped finance this important device, which is now used in the emergency medical transport vehicle (NKTW).

With this new equipment, the NKTW can now monitor vital signs such as pulse, oxygen saturation, CO2 levels and ECG. Previously, the vehicle was only equipped with a simple AED. The new defibrillator, an AED 3100, is also ideal for laypeople due to its easy handling. With a protection class of IP55, the device is both dust and water jet protected and meets high safety standards.

Essential technology for survival in an emergency

Defibrillators are portable devices that can quickly save lives in an emergency. Every year around 100,000 people in Germany die of sudden cardiac death, many of them due to ventricular fibrillation. This trembling movement of the heart can occur suddenly, for example caused by a heart attack. An AED detects cardiac arrhythmias and delivers controlled electrical shocks when necessary to restore normal heart rhythm. Its use is particularly useful if the affected person is unconscious and is no longer breathing or is only breathing shallowly. When using the medication, you should always call the emergency number 112 and give chest compressions immediately.

Mathias Onken, dispatcher in the medical on-call service, explained to the guests present how the new device works. Helene Frieden, the local representative, emphasized the decisive improvement in medical care in the district through this device. The NKTW is a valuable partner not only for large medical services, but also in mass casualty situations where quick action is required.

The support of the community

Financial support came from various sources. The CEO of Sparkasse Aurich-Norden, Jörg Reinhardt, and Sandra Cassens from Raiffeisenvolksbank gave the speeches at the handover. The Aurich local representative, Sebastian Christian Schulze, also expressed his gratitude for the support of various sponsors. This commitment shows how important it is to the community to sustainably improve local medical care.

In summary, it can be said that the purchase of the AED 3100 is not only a technological advance, but also a sign of solidarity and responsibility in the Aurich district. It proves that every individual can make a contribution to help others - and we can only do this together, with a good hand and a lot of heart.