Emergency Cardiac Care News Digest is an assortment of current events and news related to emergency cardiac care and resuscitation. Produced by Code One Training Solutions, Emergency Cardiac Care News Digest is published every Friday throughout the year.
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
– Pele
This quote from the iconic Pele reminds us to do what brings us pleasure and to do it the very best we can. Success will follow perseverance.
Cheltenham defib campaign installs 70th defibrillator
Cheltenham’s not for profit community defibrillator campaign, Public Hearts, is celebrating its fifth anniversary and 70th defib installation.
The 70th defibrillator has just been installed at The Hatherley pub. As recently as four years ago, there were no public access defibrillators in the town. This time two years ago, there were just seven.
But over the last few years, Public Hearts has really put Cheltenham on the map for public access defibrillators, which are vital in the event of a cardiac arrest. The life changing and life-saving devices can be used for anybody by anybody in a medical emergency.
Mom’s CPR saves son after near-fatal drowning
Local mom urges everyone to learn CPR after saving her toddler from near drowning.
“Suddenly, we heard the neighbour’s child, Rethabile Lehodi, screaming for help ‘Sekani fell in the pool’. It was such a shock that my sense of time became completely distorted. I was praying and praying as I ran to where she had pulled my boy out of the water and, through prayer, I became calm and was able to start performing CPR.
“I am a mining engineer, and although I attended CPR training, I’ve never had to perform it on a person – let alone my son. I had to adjust the pressure for such a young child, and I wasn’t sure if I should interrupt CPR to turn him over. It was a frightening situation as a mother,” she explained.
See the entire article: https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/news-headlines/2023/12/04/moms-cpr-save-son-after-near-fatal-drowning/
American Heart Association backs bill to require AEDs in all schools
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — AEDs are not required in Ohio schools, but the American Heart Association is hoping to change that.
Columbus City Schools have more AEDs than school buildings. The district serves 46,000 students over 113 schools. There are 147 AEDs.
There is a bill in the Ohio General Assembly that would require AEDs in schools. While CCS is already doing this, the bill, House Bill 47, has the potential to give other districts the initiative to do the same.
“People think that it doesn’t happen around here or that it’s a rare event. But really, one in 25 schools around the country experienced this event within their school, and almost 8,000 kids die annually from sudden cardiac death. Usually, it’s a student-athlete,” American Heart Association State Advocacy committee member Shawn Koser said.
Source: https://www.nbc4i.com/news/politics/american-heart-association-backs-bill-to-require-aeds-in-all-schools/
Video coverage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KbtXp6TrVg
Ziad Nehme of Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) world-leading research team has been announced as a member of the Citizen CPR Foundation 40 Under 40 Class of 2023
A senior leader of Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) world-leading research team has been announced as a member of the Citizen CPR Foundation 40 Under 40 Class of 2023.
The 40 Under 40 initiative recognises and celebrates outstanding individuals from around the world who are contributing to the future of sudden cardiac arrest awareness and outcomes.
Ziad said it was an honour to be named alongside this group of inspiring individuals.
“Over the past 10 years, I’ve developed a research program to transform systems of care for cardiac arrest patients in Victoria, and help enhance survival outcomes for patients,” he said.
“I am so fortunate to work for an organisation that recognises the importance of cardiac arrest, and continually measures and improves the services it provides to the community.”
Source: https://www.miragenews.com/citizen-cpr-foundation-40-under-40-ziad-nehme-1136320/
CityLine: Every Minute Counts-Turning Heartache Into Purpose
NEEDHAM, Mass. — Dr. Lisa Owens and Darryl Settles lost their son Preston following a cardiac incident, now they are memorializing his legacy through the introduction of legislation on Beacon Hill called the ‘Preston Settles Every Minute Counts Act’ that would ensure every sporting event facility in Massachusetts has an AED, automatic external defibrillator, and someone who knows how to use it.
Video coverage: https://www.wcvb.com/article/cityline-every-minute-counts/46012705#
Are you part of the You’re the Cure advocacy network?
You’re the Cure – the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s grassroots network of community of fathers and mothers, neighbors and friends, researchers and caregivers, passionate about an America that’s free of heart disease and stroke work together to advocate for heart-healthy and stroke-smart communities through legislative and regulatory policies.
Learn how you can play a crucial role in the fight against heart disease and stroke by communicating with key legislators, connecting with other advocates near you, and issues that matter most to you.
Learn more: https://www.yourethecure.org/about_us
Why don’t more B.C. schools have life-saving defibrillators?
There is no legislated requirement to provide AEDs in K-12 schools in B.C.
“AEDs are critical to restart the heart and the parents that came to the aid of this man who had a cardiac arrest outside this public school in North Van did exactly what we would have wanted them to do — call 911, do CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), find an AED,” said Mary Stambulic, director of policy and systems change for the B.C. and Yukon Heart and Stroke Foundation.
In March 2018, the school board didn’t support spending an estimated $441,000 to install AEDs at all sites. A staff report deemed the cost too high and risk too low because less than 1% of sudden cardiac arrest victims are school-aged children.
Read the entire story: https://www.nsnews.com/highlights/why-dont-more-bc-schools-have-life-saving-defibrillators-7912830
Nurse struck by lightning at Boston beach released from Spaulding Rehab
BOSTON – A nurse who was struck by lightning while walking her dog is now going home from rehab.
Thalita Teixeira Padilla was walking her dog on Savin Hill Beach back in September when she was hit by a lightning strike. After receiving CPR from someone else at the beach, she spent 40 days in the hospital before being transferred to Spaulding Rehab in mid-October.
Video coverage: https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-lightning-strike-survivor-returns-home/46016446
Gym members save man’s life
FRANKLIN. Andrew Weekley, 47, credits the AED at Anytime Fitness and people who knew how to use it with reviving him after his heart stopped.
“I was finishing up my workout with some cardio,” said Andrew Weekley, 47, of Franklin. “The workout had not been that strenuous at all, but something didn’t feel right as I walked to the locker room.”
He did not know that he had coronary artery disease and was about to experience a major adverse cardiac event.
Weekley splashed water on his face and did his best to get his faculties back to normal.
Ron Tan, a fellow gym member, walked past him at the sink and headed toward the locker room stalls as he too had just finished his workout.
“I walked by Andrew as he was washing his face at the sink and moments later I heard a thud and I looked back and Andrew was lying on the ground on his back,” recalled Tan, a 36-year-old registered nurse from Franklin.
Read on: https://www.townshipjournal.com/home/gym-members-save-man-s-life-AH2876651
NFL representatives speak on the life-saving CPR of Damar Hamlin ahead of Citizen CPR Foundation Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit
It was a moment that rocked the sports world. On January 2 earlier this year Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made a routine tackle, but then collapsed on the field during a Monday night football game. He suffered “sudden cardiac arrest.” Life saving measures included more than 20 minutes of on the field CPR. It’s the reason Damar Hamlin is still alive today. Experts from across the country have come to San Diego this week for the Citizen CPR Foundation’s Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit. NFL Executive Vice-President of Communications and Policy Jeff Miller and Dr. Jonathan Drezner, team physician with the Seattle Seahawks, joined CBS 8’s Heather Myers Wednesday in the studio ahead of the conference.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T83cswzTQaU
Are you familiar with the Resuscitation Academy?
From free instructional events and do-it-yourself resources to hands-on quality improvement consultative initiatives, the Resuscitation Academy presents a balance of medical science, educational efficiency and local implementation experience.
Resuscitation Academy faculty and consulting partners are hand-picked for their demonstrated experience leading complex improvements across multiple departments within their communities.
Learn more here: https://www.resuscitationacademy.org/workshops-programs