Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation Launches "You Can Save a Life at School AED Challenge"
Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) February 28, 2014 -- In an effort to make schools safer for students, teachers, parents and visitors alike, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation today announced the "You Can Save a Life at School AED Challenge," a photo/video competition designed to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and help save lives in school settings.
AEDs—or automated external defibrillators—are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, an abrupt and unexpected pulseless condition that can affect people of all ages, including youth. The devices are designed for use by laypersons and can mean the difference between life and death—but access within the first few minutes after cardiac arrest is critical.
Sudden unexpected cardiac arrest affects about 1,000 people outside hospitals each day in the U.S., including 26 children. Approximately 10 percent of those treated by emergency medical services personnel survive to hospital discharge. Yet, when bystanders give CPR and use AEDs to revive victims before EMS arrives, survival rates increase to nearly 40 percent.
“It's not just about saving students," said Mary Newman, MS, Foundation president. "On any given day, educational institutions house more than 20 percent of the U.S. population. As such, educational settings are ideal locations for AED deployment."
To enter the contest, students—who may be assisted by teachers, administrators, parents, coaches or athletic trainers—should submit a captioned photo or video (three minutes or less) to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation through one or more of its social media channels--Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. The caption should include the hashtag #AEDsave.
The entry should be visually compelling and address the following topics:
- Why it is important for schools to have AEDs
- Why the school needs an AED
- How the school will raise awareness about its AED program.
The school whose photo or video generates the most conversation (likes, comments, etc.) across the Foundation’s social channels each month will win a Lifeline AED, donated by Defibtech LLC, plus You Can Save a Life at School educational booklets.
Individuals or teams from nonprofit elementary, secondary and combined public or parochial schools in the U.S. are eligible to participate. The deadline for entries is the last day of each month. The first deadline is March 31. For further details, including statistical references, click here.
Watch video invitation here.
About the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is a national community benefit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and saving lives. Programs include educational campaigns for secondary schools and colleges and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Network, an online community that provides peer support and opportunities for survivors and family members to participate in awareness, advocacy, and research initiatives. For information, contact [email protected].
About Defibtech
Defibtech, LLC, relentlessly pursues one goal: making the best AEDs in the world at affordable prices. Defibtech designs and manufactures defibrillators, which include the Lifeline™ and ReviveR™ families of AEDs. Defibtech’s products are sold through its network of distribution partners in the United States and around the world. Defibtech is headquartered in Guilford, Conn. All Defibtech AEDs are manufactured in the United States in state-of-the-art ISO 13485:2003 certified facilities. For more information, visit http://www.defibtech.com.
Carissa Caramanis O'Brien, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, http://www.sca-aware.org, +1 724-934-0034, [email protected]
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