Disaster and safety experts are calling on people with emergency response training to promptly perform life-saving procedures in emergency situations, even if they are afraid of contracting COVID-19 from the person in need.
The Tokyo-based AED Foundation of Japan, which promotes the use of automated external defibrillators, has asked those who have undertaken life-saving training not to let coronavirus fears outweigh the need to step in and attempt to revive someone who may be experiencing cardiac arrest.
The group is reassuring the public that the risk of infection when performing chest compressions can be reduced by taking reasonable preventative measures, such as wearing a mask.