SANTEE IS A MEMBER OF THE SAN DIEGO PROJECT HEART BEAT

The City of San Diego's Fire and Life Safety Services and San Diego Medical Services Enterprise are the driving force behind San Diego Project Heart Beat. Project Heart Beat has one main goal: to save lives through early defibrillation. San Diego Project Heart Beat's objective is to make Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) as accessible as fire extinguishers throughout the region.

Partners in San Diego Project Heart Beat are San Diego Firefighters Local 145, the County of San Diego, the American Heart Association, and Cardiac Science, Inc.

What is an Automatic External Defibrillator?

An Automatic External Defibrillator, or AED, is an easy-to-use automated device which delivers a life-saving electrical shock to the heart to halt rapid and chaotic heart activity commonly known as Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and restores normal heart rhythm. AED's are designed to be used by non-medical personnel. Most AED's can are now safe for use on children using pediatric therapy pads.

The Goal of San Diego's Public Access Defibrillation Program:

The goal of San Diego's Public Access Defibrillation Program and San Diego Project Heart Beat is to improve the survivability of sudden cardiac arrest victims by placing defibrillators in:

• Government Facilities
• Businesses
• Tourist Attractions and Facilities
• Healthcare Facilities

Educational Facilities

Success of Public Access Defibrillation:

According to recent studies:

• More than 460,000 Americans die each year from sudden cardiac arrest
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a major unsolved public health problem and a leading cause of death in the United States.
• The most common cause of Sudden Cardiac Arrest is ventricular fibrillation - when the heart's electrical impulses become irregular and the heart is unable to pump oxygen rich blood throughout the body.
• Currently, a person who suffers Sudden Cardiac Arrest outside of a hospital has a five percent chance of surviving.
• Clinical studies have shown the survival rate increases to 30 to 70 percent when an automated external defibrillator is available and used on a victim within three minutes from the onset of a cardiac arrest.

Program's Private AED Corporate Partner:

Cardiac Science, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets external defibrillator devices and electrodes. They will help promote the deployment, training, and implementation of automated defibrillators in the region.

Join the San Diego Project Heart Beat Team:

Your group, business, or organization can easily establish an AED program which is accessible, affordable, and saves lives.

San Diego Medical Services Enterprise officers assistance in establishing all the elements required in instituting a Public Access Defibrillation Program:

• AED Devices from Cardiac Science, Inc.
• Physical Medical Oversight
• Training/Certification
• Record Keeping and Data Collection
• Complete Program Maintenance
• Site Selection
• Indemnification

AED's in Santee:

Santee received a grant to place six defibrillators at high volume people sites throughout the City. More units are expected to be added as the program grows.

Facilities in the Santee that currently have defibrillators:

• Santee City Council Chambers
• Santee Fire Administration Building
• Santee Community Services Department
• Las Colinas Women's Detention Facility
• Trolley Square Sheriff's Substation
• Hartford Insurance Company
• Santee YMCA
• Santee Elementary Schools (all 9 Project SAFE Facilities)

We extend our appreciation to the following sponsors who have graciously donated to this program:

• AJ Ryan Foundation
• Barratt American Homes
• Best Western Santee Motel
• City of Santee
• Dave and Busters - Mission Valley
• Drew Ford - La Mesa
• Congressman Duncan Hunter
• Grossmont Hospital District
• Kiwanis Club of Santee
• The Omelet Factory
• Prospect Avenue School PTA
• Santee Firefighters Association / Local 4373
• Sonrise Community Church
• Walmart (of Santee)

The Santee Fire Department has trained about 100 people to use AED's, including many City and Project SAFE employees, this year.

AED Saves Life (True Story):

On the morning of November 10, 2003, 55-year old Lynn Roger Nisheim collapsed while exercising on a treadmill at the new Santee YMCA. YMCA employees Brett Campbell and Matt Stern quickly came to his aid and determined he had no pulse. They called for other employees to dial 911 and retrieve the YMCA's AED. Employees Katie Baumann and Dean Huston responded with the AED, began CPR, and delivered two shocks before Mr. Nisheim regained a pulse. It was at this time that Fire Department personnel arrived on scene and transported the patient to Grossmont Hospital, where he remained for six days. Today, Mr. Nisheim has fully recovered due to the quick response of the YMCA personnel and YMCA's foresight to purchase and AED.

How You Can Help:

We are currently trying to raise a total of $90 thousand dollars support the Santee Elementary School District and Project SAFE to get the equipment and training needed to complete equip the facilities.

If you would like more information on how to establish or support an AED program for a business or agency in Santee, please e-mail Capt. John Sengebusch or call (619)258-4151.

For information regarding local CPR Classes sponsored by the Santee Fire Department, please email Captain Jim Huson ,or call (619) 258-4100 ext. 207