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Public Access Defibrillation Program

Purchase an AED for placement

Program Overview 
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Existing Defibrillator Locations
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County grants four AEDs to Road Rangers patrolling I-4 in Volusia County

On March 16, 2004 - Mr. Ross Szell was enjoying his usual morning swim at the YMCA of West Volusia in DeLand. He suddenly began struggling in the pool and the "Y" Lifeguard Kris Colman jumped into the water pulling Mr. Szell onto the pool deck. Mr. Szell was unconscious, not breathing, and pulseless.

While Kris started CPR, other YMCA staff dialed 9-1-1 and the YMCA Executive Director Chris Seilkop grabbed an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) from the lobby wall recently placed at the “Y” by the City of DeLand Fire Department and Volusia County Office of EMS.

Chris Seilkop, Executive Director of the DeLand Y applied the AED and it advised to shock. Chris shocked Mr. Szell once and within 30 seconds, Mr. Szell was conscious and talking. These lifesaving events all occurred prior to the first EMS crews arriving on scene.

Subsequently Mr. Szell received a pacemaker and implantable defibrillator and has return to his normal productive life.

Sudden cardiac arrest facts*

• On average, only seven percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims in the United States survive.
• Research indicates at least 45 percent could survive if they were treated quickly with defibrillators.
• If as little at 20 percent survive, at least 50,000 lives could be saved each year.
• For every minute that elapses after sudden cardiac arrest, chances of survival diminish seven to 10 percent.
• If a victim is treated immediately with a defibrillator, chances of survival are nearly 90 percent.
• Sudden cardiac arrest survival rates with AED use:

• 90 % - in supervised cardiac rehabilitation centers such as hospitals
• 64% - Chicago O'Hare Airport public access defibrillation program
• 59% - casino security guard defibrillation program
• 45% - Rochester, MN police department defibrillation program
• 34% - Seattle, WA fire department defibrillation program
• 7% - U.S. average without use of defibrillators 

* Source: National Center for Early Defibrillation, www.early-defib.org

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