An athlete collapsing while running down the court, a parent falling to the ground while cheering on their kid's soccer match, a gentleman clutching his chest while scooping snow. In Sioux Empire, approximately 400 individuals are victims of Sudden Cardiac arrest early, many of these occurring outside of a hospital. Each minute defibrillation is delayed, the changed of survival is reduced approximately 10%.
The only solution for the ventricular fibrillation occurring these cardiac arrests is the use of a Public Access Defibrillator, or PAD. Seeing a need for this technology throughout the community, Sioux Empire United Way worked with Sioux Falls Fire & Rescue and Avera Heart Hospital to launch the "Safe a Life" initiative in 2004.
"The PAD program has been a lifesaving program in the literal sense. The program now has almost 1500 PADs and continues to offer this grant to nonprofits to fund half of the cost of a PAD. Training is provided from Sioux Falls Fire & Rescue on how to operate the device and potentially save a life.
"Lives are actually being saved, at least one every other month, through United Way funded PADs" said Jay Powell, Sioux Empire United Way President. "It's great that United Way identified a specific need and Sioux Falls Fire & Rescue and Avera Heart Hospital stepped forward to address it."
If these signs of cardiac arrest are present:
- Call 9-1-1 and get a PAD (AED), if one is available
- Check breathing; if the person isn't breathing or is only gasping, administer CPR
- Use a PAD (AED) as soon as it arrives by turning it on and following the prompt
- Keep pushing until the person starts to breathe or move or someone with more advanced training takes over