November 12, 2003—The Columbus Public School district, a 64,000-student district that covers 144 schools throughout Columbus, Ohio, announced the launch of a comprehensive cardiac emergency program that will deploy Cardiac Science Powerheart-brand AEDs in schools and district facilities to protect its students and staff against sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiac Science is a manufacturer of automated public access defibrillators (AEDs) and a provider of associated training and services.
AEDs have been lauded by the American Heart Association as the only effective treatment for sudden cardiac arrest, often called a massive heart attack, which takes a tremendous toll on the American public, killing more than 450,000 people annually including a surprising number of young people. A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed a total of 23,320 children and young adults died of cardiac arrest between 1989 and 1996.
The Columbus district is joining other school districts in communities throughout the country that have adopted emergency response programs that include the extensive deployment of AEDs. Such programs are important steps in the prevention of cardiac tragedies because medical statistics show that the chance of a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s survival decreases by 10 percent for every minute that passes, said Raymond W. Cohen, Chairman and CEO of Cardiac Science.
For more information, visit Cardiac Science.
