Henderson residents planning public events can apply for the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) through a new city loan program.
HENDERSON, NV--An AED is a portable electronic device capable of recognizing the presence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia associated with cardiac arrest, and delivering a shock if needed to restore a normal heart rhythm.
“Any adult can learn to use this simple piece of medical equipment and possibly save a life,” said Henderson Fire Chief Steve Goble. “The AED is especially beneficial for outdoor sporting events where athletes are at greater risk of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.”
Sudden cardiac arrest, a condition where the heart suddenly stops beating, is a leading cause of death among adults over the age of 40.
Around 1,000 Americans of all ages experience out-of-hospital non-traumatic sudden cardiac arrest daily and only 1 out of 10 victims survive.
When bystanders intervene by giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an AED before emergency medical services arrive, 4 out of 10 victims survive.
According to a 2005 Harvard study, properly administered CPR alone can be a valuable life-saving tool, but in application it is rarely executed properly, even by trained professionals. AED has the ability to restart the heart’s beat rhythm and, in conjunction with CPR, increases survivability by 11percent over CPR alone. The study notes that administering AED while neglecting CPR can be highly detrimental to survival chances.
The city launched the AED loan program after being approached by three local women who founded the Adam’s Heart organization, after one’s son experienced sudden cardiac arrest during a soccer game.
The Henderson Fire and Parks and Recreation departments are partnering to provide AEDs at no cost for use at public gatherings and sporting events.
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SOURCE: The Henderson Press