HeartSafe Fargo Empowers Ordinary Citizens to Save Lives

New Program Aims To Expand Community Access To Lifesaving Technology And Training

The American Heart Association describes sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) as an abrupt loss of heart function, which quickly leads to death – often within minutes. Usually, SCA is caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation, and odds of survival are greatly increased with immediate “defibrillation” of the heart.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart, which may stop an irregular rhythm and restore the heart’s function. Essentia Health and the Fargo Fire Department hope to expand community access to AEDs – and AED/ CPR training – through a new program called HeartSafe Fargo.

“This is a fantastic partnership because it’s truly about saving lives,” said Jon Benson, executive director at Essentia Health Regional Foundation. “It’s a natural part of our mission to make a healthy difference in people’s lives and to provide health and medical resources to our community.”

Essentia Health uses its medical equipment purchasing capability to provide AEDs to organizations at a reduced cost. They also promote the program, provide medical expertise, and host training.

The Fargo Fire Department will train citizens in the use of AEDs and in CPR for infants, children, and adults. Firefighters will examine and service registered AEDs during an organization’s annual fire inspection, to help ensure they are ready for use.

According to Fargo Fire Chief Dean Meyer, 248 AEDs are currently registered in Fargo; most are located in public spaces such as malls, churches, and schools. The partners hope to increase that to 500 over three years and also to train an additional 1,500 individuals to use AEDs and perform CPR.

“In a fast call, a crew may need five to six minutes to arrive on scene with an AED,” Meyer said. “A victim’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest is reduced by 10 percent for every passing minute until defibrillation is delivered. Quick access to an AED can make a big difference.”

Training to use an AED and provide CPR can take as little as four hours. The units themselves are user friendly and only deliver a shock if the device detects an abnormal heart rhythm. Most AEDs even talk a user through the process.

Meyer said successful programs in other cities will serve as a model for HeartSafe Fargo, noting that Sioux Falls, SD has deployed more than 1,000 AEDs around its community. An estimated 14 lives are saved annually as a result. [AWM]

For more infor mation, visit heartsafefargo.com, or call the Essentia Health Regional Foundation at 701364-8019.