In another example of its commitment to the safety and health of its students, teachers and employees, Mobile County Public Schools this month had 214 automatic external defibrillators installed in its schools and administrative offices.

“We’re very pleased to have AEDs in all our schools and facilities,” MCPSS Superintendent Martha Peek said. “Any time we can increase the likelihood of saving a life it’s important, and certainly this program will do it because not only are the devices provided, but also the training that goes along with it.”

MCPSS contracted with Cardiac Solutions, a leading provider of personal and public access defibrillators, to install the HeartSine Samaritan PAD 360P AEDs throughout the county and train school employees in their use. User-friendly thanks to easy-to-follow visual and audio prompts, this AED analyzes the heart rhythm and delivers an electrical shock to victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in order to restore the heart to a normal rhythm.

“We applaud Mobile County Public Schools for recognizing the importance of AEDs,” said Jon M. Seale, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiac Solutions.  “The school system is clearly demonstrating their commitment to the safety and well-being of their students, employees, and visitors by placing 214 HeartSine AEDs throughout the schools, administrative buildings, and athletic facilities. Additionally, having a managed program, such as the one Cardiac Solutions is providing for MCPSS, significantly increases one’s chances of survival.”

SCA, the leading cause of death in the United States, causes the heart to stop pumping blood to the rest of the body, resulting in a loss of consciousness. CPR alone will not restart the heart. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, survival chances increase significantly when CPR and defibrillation are performed before first responders arrive. SCA can happen to people of all ages, including children, and is often fatal if not treated within minutes.

“The most important aspect of any organization is the safety of all stakeholders involved,” said Brad Lowell, MCPSS Supervisor of Athletics, Physical Education, Health and Driver Education.  “The AED program through Cardiac Solutions provides us an opportunity to be better prepared for helping anyone who goes into sudden cardiac arrest. This is a great investment and step forward in providing a safer place to work and learn.”