Fundacja WOŚP - Centrum Szkolenia Wolontariatu

1% of Tax for AED

The GOCC Foundation is the first organization in Poland, which has been promoting public access to AEDs so intensively and effectively. In 2005, thanks to nearly 400 000 PLN collected as donations from taxpayers (1% of tax can be voluntarily given to chosen pro bono publico organization) Peace Patrol instructors, with the American Herat Association qualification, trained in CPR and First Aid 1000 people and the GOCC Foundation has funded 100 AEDs for various institutions. In 2006 we delivered another 120 AEDs for public use.

We initiated the program 1% of tax for AED in 2005 to increase people’ awareness to the fact that one day they might need to know CPR to save life of a friend or a loved one. We also kept in mind that there is urgent need of increasing AED availability in Poland and decreasing people fear of using it. In the last year and a half, we became first organization in Poland so actively promoting public access to AED.

When we first approached the issue, the number of Poles who were familiar with the device was far from satisfactory. AEDs were not accessible for public use and probably even if they were most people would be too scared to actually use them.

This challenged us to undertake the initiative, which would not only familiarize people with CPR but above all would help them understand that the person who’s heart stopped beating still has a chance to live if only bystander like themselves reacts properly in first couple minutes after the accident, before paramedics arrive to the scene.

When we realize that each year 700 000 Europeans suffer of cardiac arrest it becomes clear that we should know what to do in a situation. Especially that it is not very difficult. This is one of the most important messages, which we have been trying to get through.

Another is helping people overcoming fear of using AED. Thinking of defibrillators most people imagine a very sophisticated device used in emergency rooms. They see them now and then on TV shows like ER and they’d rather saw them in paramedics and doctors’ hands in real life. Through our campaign in media and during training, we have been trying to prove that everybody can in fact use AED because it is simple and it might be very effective in saving human life.

So much about the ideology behind the program. Here’s what we’ve done so far. In 2005 and 2006 we funded 220 AEDs. 100, which we’ve bought in 2005 are now mounted in police and fire fighters cars, taxis, and biggest Polish museums. Some were handed in to the professional rescue teams (water and mountains) and customs. The remaining 100 was handed in during summer 2006 to sport stadiums, train stations, and other key locations of cities and towns across Poland.

We have never handed any AED without providing HEARTSAVER CPR/AED course to the people working in given place or institution. We train police officers, fire fighters, rescuers, museums’ workers, and cap drivers. They all go through 6 hours long course. They learn CPR and AED use and practice new skills on manikins. In this way we make sure that in case it is necessary, they will make a good use out of AED. All participants of the courses receive American Heart Association certification. They do not pay for the courses or AEDs.

All financing is done with the money, which we get from taxpayers. Polish law states that citizens might give 1% of their yearly taxes to chosen institution pro bono publico. Until May 30, 2005 Poles transferred the sum of 393 450,62 PLN (131 150,2 USD) to the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation. Thanks to this support, we could realize the AED project.

Thanks to our intense campaign and numerous pieces devoted to AEDs published in the press people awareness keeps increasing. More and more Poles know what is CPR and AED. More companies in Poland plan for purchasing AEDs and want providing basic CPR training for their stuff.

This is what we wanted to achieve; making people aware that CPR class and AED are good investments for the future because the skills and device might save the life of somebody they love.

Places with AEDs mounted are signed with such symbol: