Public access to Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in the Queen City is getting better thanks to Regina’s Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority says there are currently more than 1,000 AED’s throughout the city that can be used if someone is going into cardiac arrest.
Sherry Purcell had a heart attack at work and survived thanks to a co-worker using an AED while they waited for paramedics to arrive.
Since then, she has been an advocate for the PAD program.
“I think more businesses should have it. Since I’ve had the heart attack, and speaking with individuals in different areas, they also see a need for AED in their places of business as well,” said Purcell.
PAD coordinator Darren Tanzell, who is a paramedic, explained how it’s important to have helpers be able to access an AED before the ambulance reaches the scene.
Tanzell said in some cases when they arrived at the scene, the patient was no longer in cardiac arrest and was actually semi-conscious. In those instances, the victim has already moved past the cardiac arrest phase and onto the recovery phase.
He said being able to access an AED at the time of an emergency is very important.
“Survival rates drop seven to 10 per cent for every minute that an AED or defibrillator isn’t used,” noted Tanzell. “To be able to have these publicly available defibrillators that can be put on between two to three minutes is vital and lifesaving.”
Earlier this week, cardiac arrest survivors and the people who helped saved their lives with an AED were celebrated and recognized with a certificate of thanks.
The SHA says if you see someone who you think is having a heart attack, you should call 9-1-1 right away.