Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) are portable defibrillators about the size of a laptop computer. An AED offers voice-prompt instruction to the rescuer, monitors heart rhythms and can restore the heart to a normal rhythm to save a victim's life. Non-medical personnel, professionals and lay people can safety and effectively use AED's. A simple touch of a button during those first few minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
The Ray of Life Foundation's mission is to place as many AEDs as possible in public places. It is our goal to provide public access to the only life saving treatment available for Sudden Cardiac Arrest...defibrillation. We don't count dollars or materials or quotas. We count lives saved.
Over 1200 hundred people a day die from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Over 40 people an hour die suddenly every single day in this country. That is one to two lives every minute. Still, some may argue with us?
They will say that only one out of every thousand people will die of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and therefore we should only place them where there are large groups of people. I guess that my husband Ray was that one person in that one area (with 50 people) that one day that he died!
They will suggest that our energy, resources and money could be better spent. Try telling my children that it was too expensive to place an AED in the hotel where their daddy died.
Some will argue that we should only endorse this AED manufacturer or that AED manufacturer. They will say we should or we shouldn't have a preference. And when we do, that's not ok either.
Some will say we should only promote the American Heart Association, the Red Cross or some other safety training organization. I only hope when I need it, somebody nearly knows CPR/AED/BLS and isn't afraid to use it!
The face is AED saves lives!
Truth is; if I go down, I just pray there is an AED, any AED! I don't really care what color it is, or where it was made. That doesn't mean I don't have a preference. You can too. It's ok with us. Lets just get AEDs out there everywhere!
AEDs save lives, period.
The Chain of Survival
In 1999 the American Heart Association launched a national initiative called Operation Heartbeat. Operation Heartbeat's mission is to increase survival rates from Sudden Cardiac Arrest by strengthening the Chain of Survival. More people survive Sudden Cardiac Arrest when a certain sequence of events happens as quickly as possible. This series of steps are called the Chain of Survival.
Early Access: Recognizing that a cardiovascular emergency exists and immediately notifying the EMS (Emergency Medical Service) system is a key element. In most communities, phoning 911 accesses the EMS system.
Early CPR: Staring CPR immediately after Cardiac Arrest to circulate oxygen-rich blood to vital organs buys time for the victim until defibrillation can be given.
Early Defibrillation: Defibrillation of the victim as soon as equipment arrives.
Early Advanced Care: Trained health care providers arriving quickly to administer advance lifesaving interventions.
