Defibrillators now part of standard gear in and around Algonquin
Submitted by village of Algonquin
The village of Algonquin has obtained multiple automatic external defibrillators. AEDs are now located in the Ganek Municipal Center, police department (including a few police vehicles), and public works facility.
The inclusion of AEDs in police vehicles provides an additional level of response since officers frequently are the first to arrive on the scene of sudden cardiac arrests and will be able to start early defibrillation until paramedics arrive. The police department was the recipient of two portable AEDs which were donated by the Sara Kathleen Memorial Fund, “Bik’n to Keep the Beat” fundraiser.
These units are deployed at the beginning of every shift to the vehicles in the far east and west territories to maximize their usage if needed.
It is extremely important to have AEDs available should an employee or resident experience a sudden cardiac arrest. The key to survival is timely initiation of a “chain of survival” including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an AED.
Survival drops by 10 percent for every minute delay in starting CPR, and the typical wait time for an ambulance is between five and eight minutes. If a person suddenly experiences ventricular fibrillation and an AED is on hand, a trained employee or someone with no medical background can grab it and easily connect it to the person’s chest following the simple directions provided. The machine does all the work and reads the person’s heart rhythm.
If the AED determines that an electric shock is necessary, it automatically sends an electrical current to the heart muscle. That jolt can reset the heart back into a normal rhythm, possibly saving the person’s life. Statistics show that nearly 60 percent of all cardiac arrests are witnessed by others, so if an AED is nearby, chances are improved that a patient will receive timely defibrillation therapy, which almost doubles their survival rate for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
“We’re happy to report that many Algonquin facilities have an AED and staff trained to use them as well as being trained in first aid and CPR,” said Todd Walker, human resources director. “Having these tools in place is critical to the survival of someone who experiences sudden cardiac arrest. We are honored and thankful for the donation of the AEDs and excited at the prospect of better ensuring the health and safety of our employees and residents.”