Automatic defibrillators have been installed at all Athens Metro stations, substantially enhancing passenger safety. The equipment, which is specially marked, has been installed at all 66 stations of the three Metro lines, in conspicuous places near the stations.
The project is being implemented with the sponsorship of the company Diamantis Masoutis S.A., which actively contributes to the protection of human life in a highly frequented means of transport such as the Metro, used daily by thousands of citizens. The defibrillators enable immediate intervention in cases of cardiac arrest by Metro staff, health professionals or even citizens who are on the spot, offering critical assistance that can save lives.
The automatic defibrillator is a stand-alone device specifically designed for the timely treatment of cardiac arrests. It features a system that identifies heart rhythms that require defibrillation and delivers an electrical shock only when necessary, while guiding the user with voice and visual instructions throughout the incident, in accordance with current protocols. The presence of automatic defibrillators in public places, combined with training in their use, significantly increases survival rates.
In this context, an employee training program in first aid and defibrillator use is being implemented at STA.SY. The programme, lasting 8 hours, is carried out in groups and progresses at a rapid pace, with the aim of training staff in front-line specialties.
To date, 739 employees have been trained, including 261 station managers (78% of all station managers on Metro’s Three Lines). The training of station masters is expected to be completed by the end of April, and will then be extended to fare inspectors and gradually to other specialties, such as drivers, security supervisors, technicians and other operational staff, to ensure a prompt and effective response to any emergency.
Deputy Transport Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis said “The installation of defibrillators at Metro stations is a move that literally saves lives. In a cardiac arrest, the first few minutes make all the difference and what we are doing today in the Athens Metro is giving every citizen a real chance to be saved. After Thessaloniki we are completing the installation in Athens and at the same time we are completing the training of our employees so that they can respond immediately when needed. I would like to thank Masoutis for the donation and its contribution to an initiative that actively enhances safety and protects human life.”
The Managing Director of OASA and Chairman of the Board of Directors of STA.SY Antonis Kerastaris underlined “The installation of defibrillators in all Athens Metro stations substantially enhances safety in an area of daily, mass transportation. The possibility of immediate intervention in critical incidents is now covered throughout the network. A crucial element is the training of STA.SY. employees, so that the front-line staff can respond immediately and effectively. Through targeted interventions, we are shaping a transport system that incorporates safety as a core function, actively enhancing the protection of human life.”
The Managing Director of STA.SY, Athanasios Kottakaras, noted “The automatic defibrillators, which are now in all Athens Metro stations, are life-saving tools that allow for immediate intervention. Metro employees, through the training they receive, are the first line of response to an emergency, where time is the most decisive factor. Modern defibrillators are easy-to-use devices that can be used even by non-specialists until medical assistance arrives, saving valuable time. Their existence on the Metro network boosts passengers’ confidence in the medium and makes daily commuting a safer and more reliable experience.”
The President of Diamantis Masoutis S.A. Mr. Yannis Masoutis thanked the Deputy Minister of Transport Mr. Konstantinos Kyranakis and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport for the excellent cooperation, as well as all those who contributed to the implementation of this initiative. He expressed his satisfaction for the company’s contribution to a project that enhances the safety of citizens, noting “We responded with great pleasure to the call of the Ministry and after covering the Thessaloniki Metro stations with defibrillators, we are here today to announce the installation of 66 defibrillators in the Athens Metro stations. For 50 years, Masoutis has maintained its commitment to actively support society with initiatives that enhance the safety and quality of life of citizens.”
The President of the Hellenic Red Cross (H.R.C.), Dr. Antonios Avgerinos, said “The first minutes after an accident or a sudden illness are crucial for the survival of the victim, as well as to prevent a permanent or temporary disability. CPR is the first thing we all need to learn in order to be able to provide in an emergency situation, but the Automated External Defibrillator (AED), which our volunteer Samaritans-Rescue volunteers demonstrated its use today, is a life-saving key link in the chain of survival. We thank the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Konstantinos Kyranakis, for his trust and appreciation of the work and actions of the E.E.S. We also thank Mr. Mr. Diamantis Masoutis for the kind sponsorship, as well as Mr. Antonis Kerastaris, CEO of OASA and Chairman of the Board of Directors of STA.SY and Mr. Athanasios Kottaras, CEO of STA.SY for this important initiative. S.E.S. has been a pioneer, for decades, in learning First Aid with nice experiential, interactive First Aid courses. We invite all our fellow citizens to come and attend them.”
