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AED in the News

Saving Lives

Posted on March 21, 2011 by admin
Thank you StoneyCreekNews.com

The Hamilton Public Access Defibrillation Program helped save a life on Saturday.

When a spectator collapsed at a children’s hockey game at the Chedoke Twin Pad Arena, bystanders immediately started CPR and attached a Hamilton Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program automated external defibrillator (AED) while 911 was called.

The bystanders were able to use the AED to deliver one shock prior to the arrival of emergency services. When the Hamilton Fire Fighters arrived, a second shock was delivered.

The patient regained a pulse, and the Hamilton Paramedics provided advanced resuscitation measures, including placing a breathing tube, and initiating intravenous access. The paramedics continued caring for the patient until they arrived at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and the patient was later transferred to Hamilton General Hospital for treatment in the Heart Investigation Unit.

Once a person goes into cardiac arrest, prompt action is required. Within three to four minutes of not receiving oxygen, the brain can suffer permanent damage. CPR keeps the blood circulating to the brain, but it takes defibrillation to bring someone out of a cardiac arrest.  CPR alone can increase the odds of survival and recovery from cardiac arrest by over 30 per cent. The combination of CPR and prompt AED use can increase the chances of survival from five per cent to over 50 per cent.

“The prompt action of bystanders and other rescuers trained in CPR and AED use combined with the sophisticated emergency medical care delivered by paramedics gave this patient the best chance for survival and recovery,” said Brent Browett, director of the Hamilton Paramedic Service. “This event highlights the fact that with simple training in CPR and AED, anyone can save a life.”

Hamilton Paramedics encourage everyone to learn CPR and become familiar with the use of an AED.

Chedoke Arena was the first city facility to have a PAD unit, which was made possible by a donation from the Heart and Stroke Restart a Heart, Save a Life campaign.

The City of Hamilton PAD program is co-ordinated by the Hamilton Paramedic Service and supported by many generous donations from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. The funds have allowed the placement of more then 100 AEDs in key city facilities.