October 30, 2007­–CHICAGO­–The use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) has saved the lives of thousands of adult cardiac arrest victims, and now AEDs are shown to be equally effective as life-saving interventions for children. Although the incidence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in young children is low, there is a need for developing strategies to provide early defibrillation to patients younger than eight years, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has come out with a new clinical report and policy statement.

“As AED programs expand, pediatricians must advocate on behalf of children so that their needs are accounted for,” according to an AAP policy statement in the November issue of Pediatrics. The statement was released Monday during the American Academy of Pediatrics annual meeting in San Francisco.

October 22, 2007–REGINA–Group Medical Services (GMS), a nonprofit insurance company, strengthened its commitment to the health of Saskatchewan communities today with the announcement of a $300,000 donation to provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to 83 schools across the province of Saskatchewan.

“We're very pleased to partner with Saskatchewan schools in this effort” said GMS President and CEO, Shirley Raab. “This province-wide distribution of AED devices to schools is the first of its kind in Canada. Schools have agreed to establish ongoing training and awareness programs for teachers and students. The use of AEDs has proven to result in dramatic increases in survival from cardiac episodes.”

Dedicated to the guys who brought me back

October 12, 2007–WASHINGTON DC–Fifteen members of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition, a coalition of more than 30 member organizations, gathered October 10th on Capitol Hill to promote legislation that aims to reduce death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). They met with the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Caucus and their staff, to advocate for their sponsorship of proposed legislation that would provide for greater public awareness, research and access to life-saving treatments for SCA.

The SCA Coalition bill aims to:

October 12, 2007–PITTSBURGH­–The SCA Foundation has established an annual award program to honor “ordinary” people with extraordinary heroic spirits who help save the lives of victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The People Saving People awards will recognize members of the public whose lifesaving actions have made the difference between life and death for SCA victims.

The purpose of the program is to increase awareness about the critical need for laypersons to be prepared to intervene in sudden cardiac emergencies.

Awards include:

First place: One (1) automated external defibrillator (AED), which may be donated to the organization of the winner’s choice;

Second place: Free admission to the Emergency Cardiac Care Update, sponsored by the Citizen CPR Foundation, June 13-15, 2008, Las Vegas;

October 9, 2007­­­–PHOENIX–For the second time in two weeks, police officers assigned to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport saved the life of a person using an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Three officers went to the aid of an 82-year-old woman, who was with her granddaughter and was running late for her flight. She started having trouble breathing at Terminal Four's D checkpoint and initially was assisted by an off-duty paramedic who was traveling. A TSA employee flagged down Officer Mark Overfield for assistance as the woman collapsed. Officers Rich Shoemaker and Frank Mylet responded with an AED and administered a single shock.