AEDs Placed Throughout Valley County

The Valley County Health Department, with a grant from Farm Credit Services and a donation from STAT Air Ambulance, has worked to purchase and place an automatic external defibrillator (AED) at six locations throughout Valley County. Two other already placed AEDs will get updated batteries and pads, placing them in compliance.

An AED is used to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) by delivering a shock to correct an ineffective heart rhythm. According to Valley County Health Department Program Director Lynn Miller, a shock from an AED is the most effective way to restore the heart’s normal pumping rhythm and gives the victim the best chance of survival.

The Nashua Fire Department’s AED and the Glasgow Senior Center’s AED will see updated batteries and pads with AEDs placed in the following places: the Evangelical Church, First Lutheran Church, the St. Raphael’s Parish, in the south vestibule of First Community Bank, Ezzie’s Westend and Ezzie’s Midtown. In addition to the funding, each group also made a contribution towards the purchase of their AED and Valley County Health Department has committed to providing ongoing support and training.

According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, each year, 326,200 people in the U.S. experience EMS-assessed out of hospital non-traumatic SCA, and nine out of 10 victims die. SCA victims can survive if they receive immediate CPR and are treated quickly with AEDs. To be effective, this treatment must be delivered within three to five minutes after the collapse. Even the best emergency medical services may not be able to reach a victim within that time frame. As a result, prompt action by bystanders is critical and it is important for anyone to learn CPR and how to use an AED.

Anyone interested in learning how to use an AED and hands-only CPR, please call Valley County Health Department at 228-6261.