Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI), a pioneer in developing treatments to combat sudden cardiac arrest, and Air France-KLM Group (Euronext: AF), one of the leading European air transport group, today announced an agreement to equip all KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France passenger flights with Philips' market-leading HeartStart automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Sudden cardiac arrest leaves the heart unable to beat regularly, and it is only by resetting the heart's rhythm with an electric current, delivered by a defibrillator, that a normal heart rhythm can be regained.
Philips will serve as the preferred supplier of AEDs to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France, replacing the defibrillators currently on board. KLM will also install the Philips HeartStart FRx AED on its Transavia passenger flights. All flight crews will be fully trained on the new device.
The HeartStart FRx AED has been tested and certified for airline use and does not interfere with airplane electronics. Rugged and durable, it features clear audio instructions for both guided use and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) coaching in addition to intuitive icon-driven operation for ease of use. Its unique infant/child mechanism, which is an easy-to-use key, turns the HeartStart FRx into a pediatric defibrillator, offering the potentially life-saving simplicity and versatility of being able to use the same set of pads on adults, children and infants.
"This product is the result of 50 years of innovation in cardiac resuscitation and sudden cardiac arrest technology at Philips," said Mike Mancuso, CEO Patient Care and Clinical Informatics at Philips Healthcare. "As the global leader in this market, we are committed to doing everything we can to help travelers survive a sudden cardiac arrest while in the air or at the airport. Philips is perfectly positioned to establish complex cross border defibrillation programs for large multinational organizations, and we take pride and comfort in knowing that by expanding public access to AEDs, lives will be saved."
It is estimated that every year, sudden cardiac arrest claims the lives of approximately seven million people globally [1]. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, regardless of age or physical fitness, and there are often no symptoms leading up to a collapse. The best chance of survival from the most common causes of sudden cardiac arrest is defibrillation from an AED within the first few minutes of collapse [2]. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, survival decreases by seven to 10 percent [3],making quick access to AEDs crucial in these emergency situations.
Philips AEDs are used by more than 91 airlines and 195 airports around the world. The first AED ever installed by a U.S. carrier was a Philips device. Recently, Philips donated its one millionth AED to a volunteer search and rescue organization in the U.S.
- Philips Healthcare's Profile
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2011 sales of EUR 22.6 billion and employs approximately 122,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming, home and portable entertainment and oral healthcare.
About Air France KLM
AIR FRANCE KLM, the result of a merger between AIR FRANCE and KLM in 2004, is one of the leading European air transport groups. Its main activities are the air transport of passengers and cargo as well as aircraft maintenance. In 2011, AIR FRANCE KLM carried 75.8 million passengers and 1.4 million tonnes of cargo. The group's fleet comprises more 586 aircraft, including 173 regional aircraft operated by its partners Brit Air, City Jet, Regional and KLM Cityhopper. Its network covers 230 destinations in 113 countries from its hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol. The Flying Blue frequent flyer programme is leader in Europe and has over 21 million members.
AIR FRANCE and KLM are members of the SkyTeam alliance which has 18 member airlines, offering customers access to a global network of over 14,800 daily flights to 993 destinations in 186 countries.
1. Mehra R. 'Global public health problem of sudden cardiac death.' Journal of Electrocardiology 2007; 40 (6 Suppl):S118-22.
2. Cummins R.O., et al. Improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest: The 'Chain of Survival' concept. A statement for health professionals from the Advanced Cardiac Life Support Subcommittee and the Emergency Cardiac Care Committee, American Heart Association. Circulation 1991; 83:1832-1847.
3. American Heart Association Online. "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Advocacy" http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Advocate/IssuesandCampaigns/Sudden-Cardiac-Arrest---Advocacy_UCM_312652_Article.jsp. Accessed August 2012.