Israel Defense Force (IDF) medical personnel are joining forces with Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national rescue organization, to increase the amount of first responders during a medical emergency. The program, called “Life Guardians”, is a first for both the IDF and MDA.

“We have approached the IDF Chief Medical Officer, [former] Brigadier General Dr. Dudu Dagan, who instantly enlisted IDF medical personnel to the important, lifesaving project for the benefit of all civilians of Israel, and I thank him for that,” said MDA Director General Eli Bin as reported by Israel National News.

“The soldiers and officers joining the ‘Life Guardians’ project will assist in saving the lives of many every year, and I am confident that this collaboration constitutes a tremendous power multiplier in preliminary life-saving treatment to civilians and soldiers at any time of need.”

Thousands of IDF medical personnel are expected to volunteer for the new initiative. As only 3 percent of those who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive and recover without permanent damage, the need to train as many people as possible to do chest compression upon an attack is urgent. Patients who receive proper chest compression while waiting for an ambulance to arrive have a much higher rate of survival.

“It is an honor and a privilege for IDF medical personnel to join the ‘Life Guardians’ program,” stated Dr. John A.I. Grossman, Chairman of LIBI USA, the official welfare fund of the IDF. “We are proud that our well-trained and dedicated soldiers are recognized by the MDA as being able to increase the chances for saving lives in Israel.”

Tens of thousands of civilians have taken the MDA’s 20-hour first aid training course, which teaches basic resuscitation of patients suffering cardiac arrest. Now, there will be thousands of IDF medical personnel, officers and reservists on call 24/7, throughout the Holy Land, to potentially arrive before ambulances and during the first critical minutes of an emergency.

“IDF medical personnel, including EMTs, paramedics, nurses and doctors will now receive notifications of a medical crisis using a specialized mobile application which notifies only those within a five minute radius of the emergency,” explained Grossman. “As speed is crucial for survival, this advanced system is a welcome addition to the emergency procedure process.”

Brigadier General Dr. Dudu Dagan stated, “IDF medical teams scattered throughout Israel operate toward saving the lives of soldiers and civilians day in and day out. Incorporating IDF medical corps staff into this national rescue project of utmost importance is essential in enabling medical staff to provide rapid, advanced medical treatment wherever they are. I am hopeful that this way, we will be able to significantly expand the circle of ‘Life Guardians’ together with our friends from MDA.”

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