Tidewater EMS Council Awards Ten Automated Defibrillators
July 2005
Thanks to a generous contribution valued at more than $26,400 from a local research firm, the Tidewater EMS Council awarded ten automated external defibrillators (AED) to emergency responders throughout South Hampton Roads in July 2005.
The AEDs were contributed to the Tidewater EMS Council by East Coast Clinical Research, LLC in Virginia Beach. The devices, either new or like-new, were used by the company in connection with a nationwide public access defibrillation study during the past several years. The study revealed the importance of early defibrillation of patients in cardiac arrest combined with a call to 9-1-1 and early CPR.
An AED is a portable lifesaving device which can deliver an electrical shock to a victim of cardiac arrest in an effort to restart the heart. AEDs are now commonly found in airports, malls, arenas, government buildings and other facilities with large numbers of people. Users of the device include law enforcement, security guards, life guards, and anyone who follows the visual and audible prompts which the AED provides. Users should ideally be trained the use of the device as well as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The donated devices are Lifepak 500 biphasic AEDs manufactured by Medtronic Physio-Control of Redmond, Washington. The units are valued at nearly $2400 each.
The Tidewater EMS Council surveyed emergency services agencies throughout the region for input on distribution of the ten defibrillator units. Based on the information and approval of the council’s Medical Operations Committee, awards were made to:
City of Norfolk, three AEDs, for Norfolk Fire Rescue special event vehicles and bike teams
City of Portsmouth, two AEDs, for Portsmouth Fire Rescue
Nansemond-Suffolk Volunteer Rescue Squad, four AEDs for bike patrol teams or high schools
Medical Transport, Virginia Beach, one AED for a special event cart
One additional AED will be retained by the Tidewater EMS Council in its offices for emergency use and demonstration purposes.