Public defibrillators distributed

Six automatic electronic defibrillators have been purchased, thanks to funds raised by The Rotary Club of Playa Coronado and The Panama Helpline. Three of the six will be available for free use in local El Rey’s that are open 24hrs including the El Rey Pharmacy in Coronado, the El Rey in El Valle and El Rey in Penonomé. Staff will also be trained to use the units.

Previously the only defibrillators were in clinics, which are not open 24 hours, or ambulances which can often be hard to track down.

Two of the defibrillators are mobile units, they will be dispatched by Panama Roadrunner vehicles. If you are in need of a mobile unit call the Panama Helpline - 6599- 3122 - and a defibrillator is on its way - 24 hours a day. The cost for a Panama Roadrunner defibrillator delivery is $35 an hour - and if needed, the time it takes to transport you to the hospital or clinic of your choice. 

The units are fully automatic (meaning all you do is press a button - if you need a shock, it will read your vitals and administer one - if you do not need a shock - it won’t).

All units have verbal instructions in Spanish (the mobile units have audio instructions in English).
 
PHL will maintain the units and ensure the batteries are changed and the units are in working order.