In addition, all advanced life support units in Clinton County carry manual defibrillators. Quick response critical Cardiac arrest happens when electrical signals in the heart are disrupted, causing the heart to quiver or stop beating. Blood is not adequately circulated to vital organs, including the heart, and without treatment, a person in cardiac arrest can die. A defibrillator is nothing more than a machine which sends an electrical charge to the heart to stop an unorganized rhythm and convert it to an organized rhythm. The sooner this is done, the more likely you are to be successful.
Response time is critical.
The first study, conducted in casinos in Las Vegas, found that 53 percent of patients treated with an AED in casinos survived. The survival rate rose to 74 percent for people treated within three minutes of collapse. The second study, conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, found a survival rate of 40 percent for those treated by flight attendants. The American Heart Association is promoting the distribution of AEDs in all ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, public buildings, sports arenas, theaters and airlines. In addition to ambulances, all fire departments in Clinton County have defibrillators.