Each year in the US an estimated 350,000 people suffer from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It can strike anyone. Even a seemingly healthy person can suffer a cardiac arrest without warning and death can occur instantly after the onset of symptoms. Most SCAs occur outside of the hospital and the current survival rate outside of hospitals is approximately 1-5 percent. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the only definitive treatment for SCA is a defibrillation shock that restores a normal heart rhythm. The chance of an SCA victim's survival decreases by 10 percent for every minute that passes. In order to be effective, defibrillation treatment must be administered within the first few minutes of SCA. Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) provide the necessary defibrillation and improve the survival rate of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victim. An AED's presence reduces the critical time for treatment. The sooner defibrillation is started, the more likely the victim will survive. In conjunction with the University Health Center, Environmental Health & Safety has implemented a campus-wide AED Program which has placed AED's at the campus locations shown on the web link below. We have also placing a mobile unit with the Towson University Police for rapid response to other campus locations. Events & Conference Services has purchased an AED for use exclusively at their public events on campus. Additional locations may be added in the future.
Another component of the program is providing CPR and AED training to campus employees. AED's do not replace CPR and are used to supplement basic CPR skills. Therefore, everyone who has the potential to utilize the AED must be properly trained in basic CPR and AED skills. Environmental Health & Safety offers American Heart Association approved CPR and AED training to campus employees at no cost. Contact us to request a training schedule or for additional information.
SCHEDULE
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For more information click on links and forms.
We would greatly appreciate your feedback about this site. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us at safety@towson.edu or 410-704-2949.
