HOSPITAL BEGINS KEEP THE BEAT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL AED PROGRAM
Claiborne County Hospital Sports Medicine has announced that it is launching a fundraising campaign to implement automated external defibrillator (AED) programs on-site at both Claiborne High School and Cumberland Gap High Schools. This is being done to help first responders act quickly if someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) on the campus. Claiborne County Hospital is participating in Keep the Beat, Medtronic’s national cause campaign, to place LIFEPAK CR® Plus AEDs on-site and train people in CPR and AED use. Keep the Beat is designed to expand public awareness of SCA, broaden education efforts, and make lifesaving treatment readily accessible in communities all across the country.
According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest claims the lives of about 1,000 people every day—men, women and children. In fact, during a typical business day, more than 20 percent of the combined U.S. adult and child population can be found in schools. “I want the school community to be prepared to save a life should someone experience sudden cardiac arrest,” says David Heath, Sports Medicine Coordinator for Claiborne County Hospital. “Both Claiborne High School and Cumberland Gap High Schools are in need of additional AED units, especially during sporting events. If an athlete or spectator collapsed during a sporting event from sudden cardiac arrest, what would you do? For every minute that passes without an AED, their chance of survival decreases by 10 percent. Many people do not survive sudden cardiac arrest because the AED was not used soon enough. Having an AED could be the difference between life and death. I hope that every person in our community will participate in Keep the Beat,” says Heath.
L. to R.: Barry Thomas, CCH Director of Rehabilitation; David Heath, CCH Sports Medicine Coordinator; Don Harville, CHS Men’s Varsity Basketball Head Coach
This potentially lifesaving program will be implemented at both high schools to serve citizens and visitors who frequent the school premises for education, sports, and community activities of all kinds.
You can help CHS and CGHS reach the goal of $5,000 for 2 AEDs by logging onto www.keepthebeat.org. There you will find several unique ways of making a donation. Just click on ‘Donate’ at the top of the page. When asked “how should we use your donation”, be sure to designate your donations to assigned school codes M6A000 (CHS) and M6A001 (CGHS).
For more information, about the Keep the Beat Fundraising Program, contact David Heath, Sports Medicine Coordinator for Claiborne County Hospital at (423) 626-1811 or (865) 585-4ACL.
About Sudden Cardiac Arrest and AEDs
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading killer of Americans, claiming the lives of about 335,000 people a year—men, women and children. Most of its victims have no warning—the heart suddenly goes into a lethal abnormal rhythm, the victim loses a pulse and consciousness, and without immediate treatment, dies.
An automated external defibrillator is a small, portable electronic device that can provide a defibrillation shock to a heart in sudden cardiac arrest. An AED is designed especially for use by the first person at the scene of a sudden cardiac arrest, and requires minimal training to use.
Using adhesive electrode pads that the rescuer applies to the victim’s chest, the defibrillator analyzes the heart’s rhythm and is designed to deliver a shock only if the heart needs it. It is not enough to do CPR and call 9-1-1 for a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. It is important to provide a defibrillation shock within five minutes or less, when chances of survival are greatest. Most emergency medical services cannot arrive in that window of time, with an average response of 6–12 minutes nationally. Although not everyone can be saved from SCA, studies show that with effective AED programs, survival rates can be increased from the mere five percent that is typical to as high as 74 percent if defibrillation is given within three minutes of collapse.
LIFEPAK® AEDs are prescription devices. To receive a prescription, a physician must be consulted. AED users should be trained in CPR and the use of the AED.
submitted by David Heath, CCH Sports Medicine Coordinator