Bystanders Use AED to Save Girl Who Suddenly Collapsed at Gym

Hello everyone.

Welcome to "Learn Japanese from the News."

Thanks for joining us.

In this program, we'll learn Japanese and about the country through Japanese news stories.

Today's headline is: Bystanders Use AED to Save Girl Who Suddenly Collapsed at Gym.

Chiara, are you familiar with these devices?

Yes, I've seen these in public spaces quite a bit.

These are AEDs, and they're designed to be operated by people who don't have any formal medical training.

Ah, so in an emergency, bystanders can move quickly to try to save someone's life.

That's right!

Before we go to the news clip, let's go over some words to listen for.

"AED" AED is short for "automated external defibrillator."

An AED delivers an electric shock to restore a person's heartbeat.

"shinzoo" heart.

"shinteishi" cardiac arrest.

"shinteishi" is when a person's heart stops beating normally and can't pump blood to the rest of the body's organs.

OK, let's watch the news clip.

In February of this year,
a sixth-grade schoolgirl suddenly collapsed during
basketball practice at a gym.

The coach and parents
watching the practice used an AED and
performed chest compressions.

Then, her heart started beating,
and she later recovered.

An AED is a machine
that uses electricity to restart a person's heart
from cardiac arrest.

On the 17th, the fire department
of Tokorozawa City in Saitama Pref.

presented certificates to the five people
who saved the girl.

The AED Foundation of Japan says,
"Some may hesitate to use an AED because they're worried
about catching the coronavirus.

Placing a cloth or handkerchief
over the unconscious person's mouth will reduce the risk of infection.

If you find someone collapsed,
please use an AED immediately."

Now, let's review some sentences from the story.

The coach and parents watching the practice used an AED and performed chest compressions.

Now read along with me.

"koochi ya renshuu o
miteita oyatachi wa a-e-d o tsukattari
shinzoo o massaaji shitari shimashita."

"shinzoo massaaji" is Japanese for chest compressions.

That's right.

"shinoo" means heart.

"zoo" refers to the internal organs.

For example, the "liver," in the upper right part of the abdomen here, is called "kanzoo."

The kidneys, which are below the ribcage on either side of your spine, are called "jinzoo."

One thing I found interesting is that the kanji character "shin" in "shinzoo" can also be read as "kokoro."

That'ｓ right.

"kokoro" refers to the heart in an emotional or spiritual sense.

For example, if you went to a concert and were moved by the performance, you might say "kokoro o utareta," which means "I was deeply touched,"

or "kokoro ni hibiita," which essentially means the music "struck a chord with me."

So if somebody is very understanding and forgiving of other people's mistakes, we say "kokoro ga hiroi," which means big-hearted or broad-minded.

On the other hand, "kokoro ga semai" means small-minded.

So in a work environment, if you have a manager who is a "kokoro ga hiroi hito," their employees might feel empowered to be creative and do their very best work.

Right, definitely!

Now, let's move on to our next sentence.

The AED Foundation of Japan says,
"Some may hesitate to use an AED because they're worried about catching the coronavirus."

Now read along with me.

"shingata korona uirusu ga
utsurukoto o shinpai-shite a-e-d o tsukau ka douka
mayou hito ga iru kamoshiremasen."

So the word "mayou" describes being unable to make up your mind about something.

But if you ever come across someone who's collapsed or unconscious, you shouldn't hesitate to use an AED.

How does intervention affect a cardiac arrest victim's chances of survival?

If bystanders place a call to emergency services, the survival rate is 8.2%.

But if bystanders also perform chest compressions and use an AED, the rate goes up to 53.2%.

So one in two people recover.

Whoa, that makes a massive difference!

Right!

Key Concept.

What would you do if you saw someone suddenly collapse and stop breathing?

We posed the question to some international residents.

Maybe I will say
"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt..."

I'd probably say, "Help me!"

I'd ask someone nearby
for help.

When trying to save a life,
you'll need all the help you can get.

You'll want to ask the people
around you for help.

Shout out, "Hito ga taorete imasu.
Tasukete kudasai!"

In Japan, we dial 119 when we need
an ambulance or fire truck.

If you need the police,
dial 110.

If you dial 119, the operator will ask,
"Kaji desuka? Kyuukyuu desuka?"

Answer "Kyuukyuusha onegai-shimasu."

When you call an ambulance, the operator will ask you for your location.

Chiara, how would you respond?

So, firstly I'd look for street signs, or utility poles, where often you will see the address written out in the alphabet.

All right.

Now how would you go about finding an AED?

Oh, well, I have seen them in a lot of public locations, like the gym, stations, and schools.

Right. So, Japan actually has one of the highest installation rates of AEDs in the world.

There are over 600,000 AEDs installed throughout Japan.

They can be found in schools and train stations, and other facilities where people gather, such as department stores.

But if it's not immediately clear where you might find one...

There is a Japanese map app that displays the location of AEDs in your vicinity.

We asked this man to give it a try.

Oh, it looks like there's one nearby!　
Very close.

The app shows more than 10 AEDs within a 200-meter radius of busy Harajuku Station in central Tokyo.

But once you've located an AED, what next?

Chiara, go ahead and open this device.

OK.

AED) Check for responsiveness and breathing.

AED) Remove pads and position as indicated,
on upper right chest and left side of ribcage.

OK, the visual makes it pretty clear, but "migi mune" is "the right side of the chest," and "hidari wakibara" is "the left side of the rib cage."

So all you have to do is just attach the pads in the positions shown.

It's actually pretty straightforward.

AEDs are designed so that anyone can respond confidently and appropriately.

The device will determine whether or not an electric shock is necessary.

That is actually quite reassuring.

Because in emergencies, I think it is normal for people to freeze and worry if what they're doing is correct or not.

So, having a device like this actually gives each of us the potential to save somebody's life.

We'll see you next time.

See you soon!