Automated External Defibrillator Used in Local Arena
CORNWALL, ON – Cornwall SD&G Emergency Medical Services Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program is announcing the successful use of a Zoll AED Plus unit at a local arena. On Thursday October 29, 2009 an adult male playing hockey at the arena collapsed due to a fatal heart rhythm. The arena was equipped with a Zoll AED Plus AED and it was used immediately by bystanders and staff at the arena. The unit recognized the fatal heart rhythm and delivered a single shock to the patient. This shock along with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) resulted in the return of spontaneous circulation and breathing. Upon the arrival of Paramedics, the man was alert, responsive and speaking. “Rapid response by the public and arena staff, calling 911, starting CPR and using an AED resulted in a positive outcome for the patient.” said Bradley Nuttley, Emergency Management & Community Safety Coordinator for the City of Cornwall. “Without the PAD Program and the community’s desire to assist people in need, the chance of surviving Sudden Cardiac Arrest is significantly reduced.”
Every day, nearly 100 Canadians suffer Sudden Cardiac Arrest – a condition where the victim loses consciousness, stops breathing and looses heart function. Chances for survival for Canadians decrease by 10% for every minute without treatment after the onset of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Cornwall, Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Emergency Medical Services have, with the assistance of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario and Government of Ontario increased the number of AED’s to 91. The PAD program is placing these lifesaving devices in many public buildings like arenas, community centres, municipal buildings and police vehicles.
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), give any member of the public the ability to automatically analyse the heart’s electrical function, thereby enabling non-medical first aiders to respond to cardiac emergencies. On average there is one death occurring in a Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry municipal building every year from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. AEDs strategically placed in these buildings significantly increase the odds of survival for such individuals.
Anyone can be a lifesaver. Modern AEDs are simple and safe to use. AEDs are lightweight devices that talk you through the rescue, provide visual prompting and sense whether the patient needs Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or an electrical shock to defibrillate the heart. Rapid defibrillation and CPR can increase survival rates up to 70%. However, defibrillation must occur within the first few minutes.
“We have been working with our partners in the City of Cornwall and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry to train staff, install the Zoll AED Plus units in selected buildings, increase public awareness and provide CPR/AED training courses since November 2004”, added Bradley Nuttley.
In 2008, six people from Cornwall and the United Counties survived Sudden Cardiac Arrest because of portable AED technology, rapid use of CPR skills and rapid response by Emergency Medical Services.
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