February 20, 2008–CARMEL, Maine––U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Maine Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director Jay Bradshaw applauded a donation of 25 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for Maine schools from Defibtech, a company that designs and manufactures the portable, electronic devices that can shock a heart back into normal rhythm and save a victim of sudden cardiac arrest.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both the state of Maine and the U.S. Cardiac arrest causes the sudden death of more than 250,000 each year,” Senator Collins said. “Many of these deaths could be prevented if automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, were more accessible. That is why I coauthored the Rural AED law. I am pleased that this law has made AEDs more accessible to first responders and communities throughout our nation. I commend Defibtech for this generous donation to schools around our state. It truly is a life-saving gift.”
The schools chosen to receive the donations also serve as community centers. Many of them are located far from hospitals or where average EMS response is prolonged due to drive time. Having an AED onsite is important because immediate resuscitation is vital. Studies show that more than 70 percent of victims defibrillated within a minute or two after arrest survive. If defibrillation is delayed for more than 10 minutes, most victims die.