AED / CPR / HeartSafe Community

Register Your Automated External Defibrillators (AED)

Someone suddenly collapses and is not responding.Napa County HeartSafe Community
Would You Know What to Do?

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is often the result of a sudden, unexpected heart malfunction. When SCA occurs, the heart’s electrical impulses become chaotic and ineffective, blood stops flowing to the brain, the heart and the rest of the body, and the person collapses. In fact, the victim is clinically dead and will remain so unless someone helps immediately.

Act in Time!

  • Call 9-1-1
  • Push hard and fast in the center of the chest
  • Use an AED if available

Call Push Shock for Website

SCA Survivors Typically Have Four Things in Common

  • A bystander recognized the emergency, decides to help, confirms the victim is not responding and makes sure that 911 is called.
  • Someone begins CPR immediately - therefore doubling the victim’s chance of survival.
  • An automated external defibrillator (AED) is delivered to the scene ideally within 3-5 minutes and bystanders utilize it immediately. The device provide the life-saving shock (if a shock is needed) to the victim’s heart.
  • Professional EMS personnel arrive early to provide advanced life-support care.

Nearly 424,000 people have cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year and nationwide, only 10.4% survive. We are striving to improve survival from SCA.

What is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?

While CPR buys time, the only effective treatment for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is access to defibrillation. Defibrillation delivers an electrical shock that stops the heart from quivering and allows it to regain a normal rhythm.

How to Use an AED

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are portable devices, designed so that anyone can use one. Thanks to the audio prompts built into the AED, an untrained bystander will know exactly what to do in the event a AED is needed. The defibrillator will administer a shock only if the device’s internal technology deems it medically necessary. There is no reason to hesitate. You cannot hurt someone using an AED.

AEDs are often located in places people gather, e.g. schools, community centers, airports, fitness centers.

Do you have an AED? State law requires registration with the local EMS Agency. Is your AED registered?