American Red Cross Launches HeartStart Home Defibrillator Program

Contact: Nicole Valentine
(508) 756-5711 x 328
Cell: (508) 735-7124
valentin@usa.redcross.org

Worcester, MA - March 9, 2004 - Sudden cardiac arrest strikes about 250,000 Americans annually. In keeping with the organization's mission to provide the most efficient lifesaving training skills to members of the community, the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts has announced a new partnership with Philips Medical Systems Corporation to make the HeartStart Home Defibrillator available to residents here in Central Massachusetts.

Throughout history, the American Red Cross has been the leading advocate for first aid and CPR training for all American workers in order to stay safe on the job. With the progression of time and technology, the American Red Cross has expanded its mission to advocate that at least one person in every household be trained in lifesaving first aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillators.

Recent studies have shown that nearly 80% of SCA happen in the home - a majority of these are witnessed. In addition, less than 5% of SCA victims survive largely because a defibrillator does not arrive in time.

"Only one out of every 20 sudden cardiac arrest victims survives - though many of these lives could be saved through early defibrillation," said Nicole Valentine, spokesperson for the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts. "With a brief window of opportunity for effective treatment, it is vital that responders reach the victim and defibrillate within the first minutes of SCA. It is the vision of the American Red Cross that every American be within 4 minutes of a defibrillator and someone trained to use it."

Available by prescription, the HeartStart Home Defibrillator is designed for use by virtually anyone to help save a life. The unit, weighing just 3.3 pounds is the size of a hardback book and is equipped with the same life-saving technology used in ambulances and on airplanes.

The Red Cross is often faced with the following question: Why not rely on traditional emergency caregivers? Outside of a controlled medical environment, paramedics and EMTs are traditionally the first to arrive on the scene of a sudden cardiac arrest. Both groups are trained in basic first aid and emergency care, but depending on the community in which one lives, they may or may not be equipped with an AED. Congested urban streets, high-rise office buildings and remote homes or heavily secured worksites can all slow response from reaching SCA victims within the critical first ten minutes after SCA occurs. For each minute that passes without treatment, the chance for survival decreases by about 10%. After 10 minutes, few attempts at resuscitation are successful.

Northbridge resident Bill Morin was the first to purchase the HeartStart Home Defibrillator from the local Chapter.

"The Automated External Defibrillator is becoming a ubiquitous item for many commercial and private businesses, like a first aid kit or a fire extinguisher," said Morin. "Although no one in my home has had a particular heart problem, sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, regardless of their health history. An AED could be a handy gadget to have around. So simple and easy to use; it's a first aid kit for the heart."

For more information, please contact Nicole Valentine at 508-756-5711 ext. 328.

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