Move Made To Place AEDs In Critical Public Areas

In an effort to strengthen the “chain of survival” in communities across the nation, Defibtech and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA) recently launched an effort to provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to communities with critical needs.

Announcing the effort during the first-ever National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week (which is this week, June 1-7, 2008), Defibtech CEO Dr. Glenn W. Laub said the effort will address the dangers posed by sudden cardiac arrest and correct some common misperceptions about the roles of CPR and AEDs.

Chris Chiames, SCAA executive director, said the association will work through its 25 local chapters and affiliates to identify communities where AEDs are needed to strengthen the “chain of survival,” which includes 911 services, individuals trained in CPR, public access defibrillators, and medical services including emergency, recovery, and preventive care. “Using its grassroots network, SCAA will identify areas where public access defibrillators can mean the difference between life and death,” he said.