Edwardsvilles emergency aid boosted with new defibrillator
On March 31, Frank Miles, Edwardsville Township's supervisor, announced that the city had installed an automated external defibrillator (AED) at the Robert C. Stille Edwardsville Township Community Park, which is in Edwardsville on Center Grove Road.
According to Miles, every minute counts when someone is having a cardiac incident, so it is vital that these devices, which can save lives, be within reach. The AED at the Stille Park is the first to be installed at an Edwardsville-area park, and all Township and Park employees know how to use it.
The defibrillators were installed not only at the park, but also at the Township office, which is on Edwardsville's West Park Street. Signs will be installed at the office and park to let residents know the devices are available.
The American Heart Association says there are over 350,000 cases of cardiac arrest annually, and only 10% survive. Chances of survival double if the victim receives defibrillation and CPR immediately.
Supervisor Miles said it was particularly important to put a device in the park, since many children play there. Although heart attacks are not usually seen in youngsters, blunt force trauma, caused by a line drive or football tackle, can cause cardiac arrest, and the AED can be a lifesaver in these cases.
Measures like this can benefit if officials work with a postcard printing company to create a card to mail to residents, informing them of the location of the devices.
According to Miles, every minute counts when someone is having a cardiac incident, so it is vital that these devices, which can save lives, be within reach. The AED at the Stille Park is the first to be installed at an Edwardsville-area park, and all Township and Park employees know how to use it.
The defibrillators were installed not only at the park, but also at the Township office, which is on Edwardsville's West Park Street. Signs will be installed at the office and park to let residents know the devices are available.
The American Heart Association says there are over 350,000 cases of cardiac arrest annually, and only 10% survive. Chances of survival double if the victim receives defibrillation and CPR immediately.
Supervisor Miles said it was particularly important to put a device in the park, since many children play there. Although heart attacks are not usually seen in youngsters, blunt force trauma, caused by a line drive or football tackle, can cause cardiac arrest, and the AED can be a lifesaver in these cases.
Measures like this can benefit if officials work with a postcard printing company to create a card to mail to residents, informing them of the location of the devices.