Asian Football Confederation to Protect Players against Sudden Cardiac Arrest with the ZOLL AED Plus

CHELMSFORD, Mass.

ZOLL Medical Corporation, a manufacturer of medical devices and related software solutions, announced today that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has purchased ZOLL AED Plus^® devices to distribute to its 47 member associations across Asia to protect their football players in the event of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

The AED Plus units will be present during all football matches. In all matches sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), of which AFC is a member, a match cannot start without the presence of an AED at the bench of the 4^th official.

Dato’ Alex Soosay, AFC General Secretary, commented that at the recent South Asian Football Federation Championship Games in Nepal, immediate use of AED equipment saved the life of a player from Afghanistan who had a cardiac arrest during the match between Nepal and Afghanistan. Thus, such incidents reflect the importance of collaboration and investment in medical equipment.

He explained that one of the key reasons that the AFC selected the AED Plus is its Real CPR Help^® feature, real-time audio and visual feedback that guides the rescuer to the correct depth and rate of chest compressions. Not all victims of sudden cardiac arrest will need a shock, but all will need CPR.

“The AED Plus is simple to operate and user friendly, even to the layman,” said Dato’ Alex. “Its availability in multiple languages provides added user confidence. The AFC Medical Committee unanimously endorsed its use.”

About the AED Plus

The ZOLL AED Plus is the first and only Full-Rescue AED that provides Real CPR Help for the depth and rate of chest compressions during CPR. This feedback technology helps rescuers provide high-quality manual CPR with real-time audio and visual feedback to help them achieve the proper depth and rate of CPR chest compressions. The AED Plus guides rescuers through the complete Chain of Survival, helping all sudden cardiac arrest victims, not just those who need a shock.

About the Asian Football Confederation

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the governing body of Asian football and one of six confederations that comprise FIFA. Formed in 1954 in Manila, Philippines on the sidelines of the second Asian Games, it was sanctioned by FIFA in Berne, Switzerland that June. The AFC is responsible for running football in Asia. It is responsible for regulating the game, drafting new laws to improve the sport, implementing the law, boosting grassroots and youth football, and conducting major competitions.

About ZOLL Medical Corporation

ZOLL Medical Corporation, an Asahi Kasei Group company, develops and markets medical devices and software solutions that help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing clinical and operational efficiencies. With products for defibrillation and monitoring, circulation and CPR feedback, data management, fluid resuscitation, and therapeutic temperature management, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS and fire professionals, and lay rescuers treat victims needing resuscitation and acute critical care. For more information, visit www.zoll.com.

About Asahi Kasei

The Asahi Kasei Group is a diversified group of companies led by holding company Asahi Kasei Corp., with operations in the chemicals and fibers, homes and construction materials, electronics, and health care business sectors. Its health care operations include devices and systems for acute critical care, dialysis, therapeutic apheresis, transfusion, and manufacture of biotherapeutics, as well as pharmaceuticals, diagnostic reagents, and nutritional products. With more than 29,000 employees around the world, the Asahi Kasei Group serves customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/asahi/en/.

Copyright © 2013 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. AED Plus, Real CPR Help, and ZOLL are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Asahi Kasei is a registered trademark of Asahi Kasei Corporation. All product names are the property of their respective owners.