(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a grant to purchase 34 automated external defibrillators (AEDs), wall mountable cabinets, signage, and supplies. North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department members will mount the units free of charge in high traffic areas throughout the North Tongass Service area, and provide the Alaska State Troopers with units to be carried in their patrol vehicles.

Members of the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department and Alaska State Troopers display automated external defibrillators.
Photo courtesy NTVFD

An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, and treats them through defibrillation. AEDs are very user friendly, once turned on voice prompts will walk anyone through the process of defibrillation.

Studies show electrical therapy must be delivered immediately to victims of sudden cardiac arrest (less than five minutes after collapse) for it to be effective. Even the fastest emergency medical services (EMS) systems cannot always get to the scene this quickly. North Tongass Fire Department sought funds to distribute AEDs throughout the service area to assist in making the five minute goal a possibility.

AEDs are designed to successfully be used by untrained laypersons in actual emergencies. While learning to use an AED is simple and intuitive North Tongass is also offering AED training to the employees of the local businesses where the AEDs will be installed.

Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department

 

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