Philips donates millionth AED in US

19 September 2012

Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. Philips has announced it will donate its one-millionth HeartStart AED automated external defibrillator) to Everett Mountain Rescue Unit (EMRU) of Snohomish, Washington. EMRU is a volunteer search and rescue organization serving Snohomish County, Wash., also the location of Philips’ HeartStart headquarters.

The one-millionth AED marks a major milestone in Philips’ 50+ year legacy of cardiac resuscitation and innovations to combat the potentially fatal effects of SCA, a condition that claims the lives of approximately seven million people globally every year. Philips will also make AED donations to nine other local search and rescue organizations, including Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue (SCVSAR) and eight groups associated with the Washington Mountain Rescue Association (WMRA).

“We pride ourselves on expanding public access to AEDs so that virtually anyone can have the power to help save a life,” said Mike Mancuso, executive vice president and CEO, Philips Patient Care and Clinical Informatics.

“Experts at Philips have worked with community-based early defibrillation champions and resuscitation healthcare leaders to drive early defibrillation program best practices, and have helped establish defibrillation programs at the top US airlines and the nation’s busiest hospitals. We are dedicated to saving lives and overjoyed that so many HeartStart AEDs are now available across the globe for emergency situations.”

“Most of the search and rescue organizations receiving the donated AEDs today have either never had one, or have earlier models which were not built for extreme conditions,” said Richard Duncan, operations leader with EMRU and flight paramedic with SCVSAR helicopter rescue team.

“Our new Philips AEDs have a rugged, reliable construction, which will aid our rescues in difficult, outdoor conditions. Washington’s mountains attract thousands of climbers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world each year. The donation from Philips will allow us to serve them and the community more confidently than ever before.”

Need for AEDs

Nearly 300,000 lives are claimed each year in the US from SCA, making it one of the leading causes of death in the country. In fact, SCA can happen to anyone, regardless of age or physical fitness and there are often no symptoms leading up to a collapse. The best chance of survival from the most common causes of SCA is defibrillation from an AED within the first few minutes of collapse. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, survival decreases by seven to 10 percent,iv making quick access to AEDs crucial in these emergency situations.

Philips also provides resources so more people like the volunteers at SCVSAR and WMRA can turn from a bystander to a life-saver by using a HeartStart AED.

In addition to professional training offered by Philips experts, Philips also recently launched the Save Lives website, which helps inform people across the world about SCA and empower them to act in an emergency. The site provides user-friendly information on how to use an AED and what to do if someone is suffering from SCA.

The Save Lives website: www.SaveLives.net

	Philips donates millionth AED in US 19 September 2012 Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. Philips has announced it will donate its one-millionth HeartStart AED automated external defibrillator) to Everett Mountain Rescue Unit (EMRU) of Snohomish, Washington. EMRU is a volunteer search and rescue organization serving Snohomish County, Wash., also the location of Philips’ HeartStart headquarters. The one-millionth AED marks a major milestone in Philips’ 50+ year legacy of cardiac resuscitation and innovations to combat the potentially fatal effects of SCA, a condition that claims the lives of approximately seven million people globally every year. Philips will also make AED donations to nine other local search and rescue organizations, including Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue (SCVSAR) and eight groups associated with the Washington Mountain Rescue Association (WMRA). “We pride ourselves on expanding public access to AEDs so that virtually anyone can have the power to help save a life,” said Mike Mancuso, executive vice president and CEO, Philips Patient Care and Clinical Informatics. “Experts at Philips have worked with community-based early defibrillation champions and resuscitation healthcare leaders to drive early defibrillation program best practices, and have helped establish defibrillation programs at the top US airlines and the nation’s busiest hospitals. We are dedicated to saving lives and overjoyed that so many HeartStart AEDs are now available across the globe for emergency situations.” “Most of the search and rescue organizations receiving the donated AEDs today have either never had one, or have earlier models which were not built for extreme conditions,” said Richard Duncan, operations leader with EMRU and flight paramedic with SCVSAR helicopter rescue team. “Our new Philips AEDs have a rugged, reliable construction, which will aid our rescues in difficult, outdoor conditions. Washington’s mountains attract thousands of climbers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world each year. The donation from Philips will allow us to serve them and the community more confidently than ever before.” Need for AEDs Nearly 300,000 lives are claimed each year in the US from SCA, making it one of the leading causes of death in the country. In fact, SCA can happen to anyone, regardless of age or physical fitness and there are often no symptoms leading up to a collapse. The best chance of survival from the most common causes of SCA is defibrillation from an AED within the first few minutes of collapse. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, survival decreases by seven to 10 percent,iv making quick access to AEDs crucial in these emergency situations. Philips also provides resources so more people like the volunteers at SCVSAR and WMRA can turn from a bystander to a life-saver by using a HeartStart AED. In addition to professional training offered by Philips experts, Philips also recently launched the Save Lives website, which helps inform people across the world about SCA and empower them to act in an emergency. The site provides user-friendly information on how to use an AED and what to do if someone is suffering from SCA. The Save Lives website: www.SaveLives.net To top