In Russia, public spaces will soon feature first aid kits equipped with defibrillators, including at train stations and shopping centers, according to a report by the Parliamentary newspaper. The Federation Council approved the measure at its general assembly on 12 April. The new rules expand who may operate this equipment, opening access to police officers, rescuers, the people who are injured, and those nearby. Officials stress that swift intervention can dramatically improve survival chances after emergencies.
The government will determine the contents of first aid kits, but the inclusion of a defibrillator is non negotiable. It is essential that this device is ready for immediate use in emergencies, remarked Vladimir Gutenev, a deputy in the State Duma and one of the lawmakers behind the initiative.
Gutenev explained that the device is an automatic external defibrillator that requires no specialized training to operate. The accompanying document also suggests adding an antidote for certain poisoning scenarios, including exposure to oxygen deficiency and carbon monoxide, to the list of recommended medicines and tools in the kit.
Infectious disease specialist Margarita Provotorova, a leading expert at the CMD Molecular Diagnostic Center of the Rospotrebnadzor Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, weighed in on the issue. She emphasized which medicines and items should be stocked in first aid kits to ensure effective, rapid response in a range of medical situations. The discussion highlights the ongoing effort to equip public spaces with practical medical resources and to set clear guidelines for their use and management.