Andy Kirby, who had a heart attack at the Cochrane Golf Club in September last year, has given his blessing to the EMS Citizen Action Group to name their latest initiative which seeks to compile a list of all AEDs in Cochrane, after him.
The idea for the Andy Kirby AED List took root after Kirby, his family, and members of the public who helped to save him with CPR and an AED appeared at the latest action group meeting Jan. 27.
Following the ceremony which awarded all six individuals who sprung into action to assist Kirby, the Citizen Action Group met privately, where president and former paramedic Brian Winter said the question of how many AEDs are stationed in town came up.
"I went on the Alberta Health Services website and they do have a list of AEDs in Cochrane," said Winter. "But the interesting point is that the one that was used at the golf course, is not on that list."
Of the 12 AEDs accounted for on the AHS website through their Alberta Public Access to Defibrillation (PAD) Program, most are located at town facilities such as the RancheHouse, Eco Centre, Visitor Information Centre and Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.
The Cochrane Community Health Centre, Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School and Manachaban Middle School are also each listed as having one on site.
James Wood, AHS media relations director for the Calgary zone, said registration of AEDs on the website is voluntary, but recommended.
"AHS encourages all AEDs in public areas to be registered so the locations are known to EMS," said Wood in a statement. "Sites with an AED provide details and notes about where to access it as part of the registration process.
"This information is then provided to EMS dispatch so it can be potentially shared with 911 callers."
It is known that there are others not on the list, but just how many, and where they all may be, is not. That is why the action group is taking it upon themselves to find out where each one is located to make their own list for public use in the event of a medical emergency.
"What kept [Andy] alive before the EMS arrived was the AED," said Winter. "CPR helped, but the AED is what brought him around.
"We have one here that saved a gentleman's life, so we'd like to gather this information and then discuss how we'll let the citizens of Cochrane know about it at our next meeting coming up in mid-February."
The guidelines for a public facility to have an AED "are based on recommendations from the Heart and Stroke Foundation and established best practices from across Canada and the USA," according to the AHS website.
Considerations for determining the placement of a defibrillator include location and EMS response time, the average population of people at the site and what activities a person may be taking part in at the location.
Shovelling snow, playing sports such as hockey, soccer, baseball and basketball have historically played a contributing factor in causing sudden cardiac arrest.
Just last year, Cochrane Minor Ball made the decision to install AEDs at five local baseball diamonds from April to September, after they received a grant from the Bow RiversEdge Campground Society.
Winter believes each location that does have a defibrillator should not only be on the list, but also have easily viewable display signage. He also thinks it would be beneficial to look at installing some along pathways.
"If you've ever hiked in Kananaskis, you may have seen these boxes that have an AED around trails," said Winter. "Why don't we set up some places along Cochrane's pathways, and maybe look at having companies sponsor them?"
Winter said the EMS Citizen Action Group will have a booth set up at the Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce Trade Show in May and will be sharing the AED list there. They are also looking at where they could post the information online and discussing the idea of handing out pamphlets at local businesses.
Those who are aware of the presence of an AED at any location in town, and how many, are encouraged to reach out to Winter at [email protected] or 403-818-9703, to have it added to the action group's list.
The AHS website also states that if a facility or business wishes to update the location of an AED on their website, they can do so by contacting the organization.
The PAD Program emails monthly inspection reminders to AED sites to help ensure AEDs are ready to be used in the event of a nearby cardiac arrest. If an AED inspection is not received within the previous six months, the AED status is considered “inactive” and removed from the list.
