Over 2,500 installed in Canada as part of National AED Initiative
CALGARY, ALBERTA--Two events took place yesterday to highlight progress and proven success of the National Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Initiative, a partnership between the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF).
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, joined Alberta HSF CEO Donna Hastings, at the North East Sportsplex Society in Calgary, Alberta, to announce that together they have exceeded the goal for AED installations in recreational and hockey arenas across the country, well ahead of schedule. To date, the Government of Canada and HSF have installed over 2,500 AEDs under the Initiative and over 18,000 people across Canada have been trained on how to properly use them. This is well above the target of having 2,000 AEDs installed by the end of the program in March 2016.
Minister Ambrose congratulated HSF for their dedication and commitment to the health and safety of Canadians and for expanding the availability of these life-saving devices nation-wide.
On the same day in Rosser, Manitoba, the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, participated in an event with Manitoba HSF CEO Debbie Brown to highlight a recent life saved using an AED put in place as part of the Initiative. In fact, just two hours after the device was installed at Little Mountain Sportsplex, it was used on an individual who collapsed while participating in a recreational sport. Thanks to the newly installed AED, quick reactions by the manager at the facility and the help of three other volunteers, the individual's life was saved.
This initiative underscores the importance of having an AED accessible for all users in arenas and recreational facilities where moderate to high physical activity takes place, and the difference it can make in the event of a cardiac arrest. In total, seven lives have been saved using AEDs under the National AED Initiative; three in British Columbia, three in Ontario, and one in Manitoba.
Any recreational arena in Canada can apply for an AED through the National AED Initiative by visiting the HSF website. Once all arenas are equipped, funding may be available for AEDs to be installed in other high-traffic non-arena-based recreational facilities.
Quick Facts
- The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, announced this 4-year initiative in February 2013.
- Through this initiative, the Government of Canada is providing support to the Heart and Stroke Foundation to develop a national database that will track AEDs installed in recreational arenas. The database is intended to provide local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with valuable information regarding the availability of AEDs located in their jurisdictions.
- Defibrillators are electronic devices used to restart a person's heart that has stopped beating. They are safe, easy-to-use, and they can be operated effectively by the public.
- This initiative is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and carried out by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada