AED AWARENESS BY: ALEX DISHMAN

WHAT IS CARDIAC ARREST?  The heart stops pumping  Blood doesn't flow around the body and oxygen doesn't reach the brain and other organs  Before a person has a cardiac arrest, their heart beats abnormally  Sometimes they wont even know it will happen or that it is cardiac arrest

STATISTICS  Approximately 7,000 children suffer from Sudden Cardiac Arrest - often these children suffer from it while at schools or on a playing field - School-age athletes are particularly vulnerable. 365,000 people die from it each year

POSSIBLE WAYS TO FIX IT  CPR  AED - best way

WHAT IS AN AED?  Automated External Defibrillator  A portable electronic device that electrically stops the heart’s arrhythmia causing the cardiac arrest  It causes the heart to return to its normal rhythm

HOW TO WORK AN AED  Attach the pads where the machine shows you and press the button  It will not shock unless the person is in cardiac arrest  Once the shock is administered, the person might begin to breathe on his or her own or require CPR  The machine will tell you what to do (pretty simple)  CPR ISNT ENOUGH TO GET THE PERSON OUT OF CARDIAC ARREST, USUALLY AN AED IS WHAT GETS THEM OUT OF IT.

CARDIAC SCIENCE AEDS FOR SCHOOLS: POWERHEART  Cardiac Science = best-known makers of AED defibrillators. - best-selling AED model =Powerheart AED G3 Plus Powerheart AEDs are dependable and easy-to-use  Self-tests all main components daily to ensure anytime functionality and the voice prompts/guides you through it while using it  Knows when to (and when not to) deliver the shock.  Text screen lends extra help in noisy and chaotic environments.  Has a 7-year warranty and a 4-year full operational battery replacement guarantee.  Best way to protect lives  Gives a school's trained responders the ability to save a life without having to wait for emergency medical responders to arrive.

CLAIRE DUNLAP’S INCIDENT  April 15, 2009  Sophomore at American Heritage  Center Fielder  After softball game at West Boca Community High School  Perfectly fine all day and game  Sudden, didn’t know what was happening or that it was cardiac arrest

TRYING TO REVIVE CLAIRE  Sarah Donner = athletic trainer, tried CPR, didn’t work  Ricky Grau = firefighter there, and an AED was at the field, he used it  Tube down her throat, put in ambulance, taken to hospital  Induced coma but stabilized  Defibirilator put in chest  She was going to be ok, unknown cause and arrythimia

CLAIRE DUNLAP THE MIRACLE  She went back to school 3 weeks later  She was able to play softball and volleyball junior and senior years (with limitations)  Graduated and wonsoftball states this past May  Still has defibirlator in chest (kind of like a personal AED. It sits in her chest above her left breast. If her heart has an arrhythmia that would cause her to fall into cardiac arrest, it will shock her and knock her out, preventing it)  Advocates AED awareness  Attends UF studying Pre-Med to become Pediatric Cardiologist

WHERE AEDS ARE REQUIRED  Public schools require them - Lucky that Claire’s accident happened at West Boca b/c public and her home school (American Heritage) was private. Private schools don’t require them - Since it is so common for athletes, private schools not having them could be dangerous - A lot have started adding them (usually see them anywhere there are sports even if not required) College Campuses are pushing for them Sports facilities around the country have added them American Heritage added 3 AEDs since the accident and the athletic trainer is required to carry one at all times

ADVOCATING AEDS  Strong Advocacy  Sudden cardiac arrest can strike children of any fitness level and that the only effective treatment for it is a shock from a portable defibrilator  If there wouldn’t have been one where Claire was she would have died - Best way to save those who suffer from cardiac arrest  Many states including New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania are now mandating the placement of AEDs throughout their schools - AED legislation is pending in many other states.  Cheaper than having an MD or EMT on campus

IN CLOSING  AEDs are only way to save a child in Cardiac Arrest  Cost- effective  Easy-to-use  Proof they work: Claire Dunlap