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AED Donations
AEDs Save Lives
The American Red Cross explains that an AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a medical device designed to aid individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It's user-friendly and can analyze the heart's rhythm, potentially administering an electrical shock (defibrillation) to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Importantly, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) incidents involving young people often occur in public areas. The presence of AEDs in schools and school-related activities significantly enhances the chances of youth survival. Every minute without defibrillation reduces the victim's survival odds by 10%.
Getting more AEDs into sports programs
In California, educational institutions are mandated to maintain Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on their premises, with a specific requirement for schools with interscholastic sports programs to ensure AEDs are accessible within three minutes of sporting events. While this is a commendable regulation, we believe that there is still a pressing need for additional AEDs. Given the simultaneous occurrence of numerous sports activities and events at schools, it is not uncommon for teams to be away from their home campus, where AED locations may be unfamiliar, or when athletic trainers are not available. We firmly advocate for the inclusion of AEDs as standard equipment brought to every practice and game. Furthermore, we are committed to addressing the deficiency of AEDs in youth sports programs, as there are presently no California laws mandating their presence in such leagues. With over three million youths participating in these programs annually and a statistic of 1 in 300 youth having an undiagnosed heart condition, an estimated 10,000 young individuals engaged in youth sports may be at risk. Our AED donation program specifically focuses on providing mobile AEDs that can be transported to any field for practices or games, extending support to middle schools, high schools, and youth sports programs. If you are interested in applying for an AED donation for your middle school, high school, or youth sports program, please complete the application below. Our current emphasis for AED donations targets California schools with a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan already in place. The other area that we want to focus donating AEDs is youth sports programs. There is not currently any laws in California that requires an AED in youth sport leagues. Over 3 million youth participate in youth sports programs every year. That means with 1 in 300 youth having an undiagnosed heart condition, 10,000 youth that participate in youth sports programs have a possible heart condition. Our AED donation program will be specifically for mobile AEDs that can be taken to any field for practices or games. These will be donated to middle school, high school, or youth sports programs. If you would like to apply to have an AED donated to your middle school, high school or youth sports program, please fill out the application below. Our current focus for AED donation are California schools with a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan in place.