1. The Case for Early Defibrillation

2. What is sudden cardiac arrest?  Condition in which heart stops abruptly  Usually caused by ventricular fibrillation (abnormality in heart’s electrical system)  Not the same as heart attack  Results in death if not treated immediately

3. How common is SCA?  One of leading causes of death in U.S.  At least 250,000 suffer SCA each year  Median age of victim: 65 years, but affects people of all ages, even teenagers

4. SCA: a public health crisis

5. How can SCA be treated?  Ideal treatment for most cases:  Early CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to keep heart viable until defibrillator arrives  Early defibrillation (delivery of electrical shocks with defibrillator)

6. Why is early defibrillation so important?  Chance of survival from SCA diminish 7-10% with every minute after collapse

7. Why is early defibrillation so important?  Only 7% now survive  30% or more could survive in community settings  If even 20% survive, 50,000 lives could be saved each year

8. Do you have to be medically trained to use defibrillator?  No. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are simple, safe and easy to use  Non-medical personnel can use AEDs with minimum of training

9. Who supports increased access to defibrillation?  American College of Emergency Physicians  American Heart Association  American Public Health Association  American Red Cross  Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians  Citizen CPR Foundation  Emergency Care Research Institute  Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada  International Association of Chiefs of Police  International Association of Fire Chiefs  International Association of Fire Fighters  International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation  National Association of EMS Physicians  National Association of State EMS Directors  National Association of State EMS Training Coordinators, Inc.  National Center for Early Defibrillation  National Heart Lung and Blood Institute  National Safety Council  Occupational Safety and Health Administration

10. Are AED programs cost-effective?  Cost of first responder AED programs over five years: $4,400 to $8,000 per year of life saved  Compares favorably with costs of other medical interventions

11. How you can help your community prepare for SCA  Make sure local EMS, fire and police are trained and equipped with defibrillators.  Consider advocating on-site AED programs in population centers that cannot be reached by emergency responders in less than five minutes

12. How you can help your community prepare for SCA  Call 911 immediately in the case of apparent emergencies.  Learn CPR. Encourage your family members, friends and neighbors to learn CPR.  Learn how to use an AED.  Remember that the key to survival is quick action.

13. How you can help your community prepare for SCA  Call 1-866 AED-INFO or visit www.early-defib.org www.early-defib.org for more information.