Nearly 300,000 people die each year in the United States from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Nationally, survival rates are less than eight percent and brain death begins in just four to six minutes. Even the best EMS systems in the country can have response times that exceed seven minutes. Bystander CPR and the early use of an AED are two extremely critical links in the cardiac chain of survival.
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Early Access - Someone who witnesses the sudden cardiac arrest recognizes that it is an emergency and calls 911.
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Early CPR - Someone starts CPR quickly.
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Early Defibrillation - Someone uses an AED.
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Early Advanced Care - Professional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel provides advanced life support.
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Hospital Care
Many more lives could be saved if bystandars would quickly call 911, begin CPR and apply an available AED. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation the chance of survival decreases by ten percent. Placing AEDs in public places and encouraging residents to become trained in CPR are both vital weapons in the fight against Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
A committee has been formed to increase awareness around links two and three. The HeartSafe Community Committee has representatives from the San Ramon Valley Fire District, local police departments, the county Emergency Medical Services Agency, San Ramon Regional Medical Center, and the American Heart Association. The mission of the group is to insure that all elements of the Chain of Survival are in place throughout the San Ramon Valley.
In January of 2011 the San Ramon Valley achieved HeartSafe Community status. In a letter dated January 25th, Contra Costa County Health Services congratulates the San Ramon Valley Citizen Corps Council and the HeartSafe Community Committee for achieving this prestigious status.
The HeartSafe Community Committee encourages residents to become trained in CPR & AEDs. Saving a life is just a class away. The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District offers low cost CPR classes to the community each month.
Businesses, churches or community groups can obtain an information packet on how to implement an AED program in their facility by contacting the EMS Coordinator or stopping by the Fire District Administration building located at 1500 Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon. These packets include documents on frequently asked questions, regulations, trainers and AED vendors.
By working together we can strengthen the “Chain of Survival” for sudden cardiac arrest. For more information on the HeartSafe Community Committee contact the EMS Coordinator.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional web and print resources please visit the Media Resources for HeartSafe page
