Saving a life is as easy as A-E-D
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Editor



Jack County Judge Mitchell Davenport announced that his office has received notice that 2009 grant applications were being received by the Office of Rural County Affairs for funding for Automated External Defibrillators.
Various organizations in the county were extremely successful in receiving grant funds under this program for the purchase of AED’s and training in CPR and use of the AED’s.
The grants do not require matching funds to obtain the units and the grant is awarded on a competitive basis.



The purpose of the grant program is to increase the availability of early defibrillation in rural counties throughout Texas and to create or increase collaboration with rural emergency care providers and rural health care systems by extending the “chain of survival” with early defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation into areas that have difficulty accessing care in a timely and efficient manner.
First minutes are critical in victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
The shock delivered by an AED is the only mechanical way for a Sudden Cardiac Arrest victim to survive. And to be effective that first shock should be delivered within the first 3-5 minutes.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming an estimated 325,000 lives each year. During a sudden cardiac arrest, heart function ceases – abruptly and without warning. When this occurs, the heart is no longer able to pump blood to the rest of the body and in some 95 percent of victims, death occurs.
The units will instruct to administer the shock and the units will read the heartbeat of the victim and decide if a shock will be delivered.


Eligible applicants consist of, but are not limited to: First responders (e.g., EMS, law enforcement and fire departments) and local for- and non-profit entities concerned about cardiac arrest survival rates.
These entities may include, but are not limited to: athletic facilities where communities for games), faith-based organizations, health centers, libraries and other civic centers, long-term care facilities, post offices, rural health clinics, schools and senior citizen and child day care facilities.
Organizations interested in applying may download applications and instructions on-line by sending an e-mail to countyjudge@jackcounty.org to get the Internet link or by contacting the office of the County Judge of Jack County at (940) 567-2241.
Applications must be mailed to ORCA (AED Program) and postmarked by Jan. 16. Faxed applications will not be accepted

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