The Yorkton Municipal RCMP will be adding Automated External Defibrillators (AED) to a number of their vehicles.
RCMP members are often the first to arrive to life-threatening situations, noted Staff Sgt. Jeff Simpson at a press conference held at Yorkton City Hall last Wednesday. The chance of victims surviving cardio-pulmonary arrest are significantly increased when AEDs are available and employed, he added.
“AEDs are used to revive someone from sudden cardiac arrest, which usually occurs with a disruption in the heart’s electrical activity that causes the heart to beat dangerously fast (ventricular tachycardia) or irregularly (ventricular fibrillation). Because of this altered heart rhythm (arrhythmia), your heart can’t pump effectively,” details www.mayoclinic.org
“The arrhythmia stops blood flow to your brain and other vital organs, usually resulting in death if not treated within minutes. If you survive, you can have permanent damage to your brain and other organs, so the sooner your heart’s rhythm is restored the better.
“If you’re having ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia a bystander in a public place or a family member at home can attach the self-sticking pads to your chest. The AED then reads your heart rhythm and sends an electrical current to your heart if an electric shock can correct the rhythm. If used within minutes, the jolt can restore your heart to a normal rhythm and possibly save your life.”
Simpson said all regular RCMP members receive training in the operation of AEDs and are qualified to use the instruments during situations where CPR is required.
Funding for the AED units, four initially, has come from the City of Yorkton, Yorkton Business Improvement District, Yorkton Lions Club and Yorkton Dairy Queen. Each unit is $1,500, and Simpson said they hope to find funding for three more.
“Hopefully it saves a life,” said Jason Greschuk, chair of YBID, adding it was seen as a good way for the group’s members to support a good initiative.
Mark Butchko with Dairy Queen said it was an idea he saw merit in.
“We found out they were looking for funding, and as a community-minded business we just jumped at the opportunity,” he said.
Denny Vachon, president with the Lions said knowing the RCMP are often first on scene, they recognized the donation could have a direct impact on saving lives. He said being able to respond quickly “can save lives.”
