SPOKANE, Wash. — A new life-saving tool for people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest is now available at a popular sports complex in Spokane.
The Dwight Merkel Sports Complex received its first automated external defibrillator (AED) on Saturday.
The “Save Station,” located near the restrooms, will be accessible 24/7.
“The cabinet is heated, ventilated, has an alarm as well. So when you open it, the alarm goes off. It’s got a camera built in, so it takes pictures and then automatically notifies people that I pre-configured on the list for a notification,” said Adam Lang, Head of Operations for Project 100.
According to Project 100, the organization donating the device, sudden cardiac arrest can happen at any time regardless of one’s age or health. An AED works by analyzing a person’s heart rhythm and delivering a shock to restore a normal heartbeat.
“What we know is with prompt CPR use and an AED, we can get that survival rate close to 70 to 80%,” Lang said. “It’s really important for parents to know that, to know CPR, but also that like one in 300 kids have an undiagnosed heart condition.”
Lang says these AEDs are easy to use and advises users to simply follow the instructions on the device.
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