TIMING IS EVERYTHING!
Why are more and more communities choosing to implement Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)? The evidence is clear: Early defibrillation programs save lives. Additionally, with every passing minute after sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs, a victim's chance of survival decreases by ten-percent. It is vital that a victim requiring defibrillation receive it as soon as possible. With greater than 1,000 people in the U.S. suffering SCA each day, pressure is building on local governments to better protect our communities.
Having AEDs within your community will help sudden cardiac arrest victims from losing critical time waiting for emergency responders. This is time that these victims of SCA cannot afford to lose. Despite advances in resuscitation medicine and local Fire/EMS’s best efforts, the statistics for “out of hospital” survival is still low.
Due to the frequency of sudden cardiac arrest, the apparent solution to this major health epidemic is the placement and immediate availability and use of Automated External Defibrillators. Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) – the placement of AEDs in public places where your minimally trained personnel or the general public can use them – is a growing success story with cardiac arrest survival rates. These rates in some cities have increased by 50-75%.
Making AEDs available throughout a community — from schools, libraries, parks, civic centers, sporting arenas, or any public place community members gather — is a proven way to save lives.