When someone’s heart suddenly stops beating, every minute without defibrillation and CPR lowers the chance of survival by nearly 10%. When a bystander uses an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) on a person in cardiac arrest, their likelihood of survival doubles. Medstar recognizes community AED placement as the most important component of increasing cardiac arrest survival throughout its service area.
Medstar has provided mini-grants to purchase AEDs for schools, churches, non-profit and civic organizations. The Medstar Shock and Save Initiative is designed to:
- Measurably increase cardiac arrest survival throughout Medstar’s emergency service area
- Increase AED access and utilization
- Increase CPR and AED training
- Support community leaders in local efforts to increase cardiac arrest survival and expand community CPR/AED training and AED ordinances
“Medstar recognizes community AED placement as the most important component of increasing cardiac arrest survival throughout our nine-county service area,” said Kolby Miller, Medstar CEO. “We’re incredibly thankful for our healthcare and community partners for helping us expand this vital initiative. The more AEDs we can get into the community, the more lives will be saved.”
Shock and Save Golf Classic
The Golf Classic is the primary fundraiser for the Shock and Save Initiative. Held at Greystone Golf Club, home of the "best finish in Michigan golf" the Classic has assisted Medstar in donating over 200 AEDs since its' inception.
AED Facts
♥ Since 2015, Medstar has donated AEDs to schools, churches, and other nonprofit and civic organizations and trained over 1,900 people in CPR free of charge.
♥ Only 10% of people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survive. However, their survival chances double if a bystander uses an AED before first responders arrive.
♥ A study found investing in AEDs was the most effective way to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates. A $1 million investment translates into more than a hundred lives saved.
♥ Michigan provides legal immunity to people who use AEDs or provide CPR to patients in cardiac arrest.
AEDs save lives
AEDs strengthen the chain of survival locally and nationally. Click the link below to see how a middle school student was recently saved by an AED while in gym class.