- January 20, 2025
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Danny Robins, Mark Swanson, Douglas Gibson, Dr. Jan McGee, Jim Judge, Daniel Hargrave. Courtesy photo
Erika Benfield, Barb Girtman, Dave Drysdale, Mark Swanson, Jim Judge. Courtesy photo
Mark Swanson, third from left, presents an AED to Scott Sandersfel as Volusia County Council Vice Chair Barb Girtman, second from right, and other Elks Lodge members look on. Courtesy photo
by: Pat Kuehn, CPRC
Community Information Specialist, Volusia County Government
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, and more than 356,000 cases occur outside hospital walls each year. About 90% of victims die before they reach a hospital, making rapid response essential. Survival rates increase dramatically when care, including CPR and treatment with an automated external defibrillator, is provided within five to seven minutes.
To help improve survival rates, Volusia County’s Public Protection Department is using grant funds to donate 19 portable AEDs to community organizations. So far, the department has provided AEDs and training to the Spruce Creek Fly-in, Burns Science and Technology Charter School, Four Townes Moose Lodge and the DeLand Elks Lodge.
Invented in 1978, the AED uses sensors to detect ventricular tachycardia (fast heartbeat) and ventricular fibrillation (fast and irregular heartbeat), two common causes of sudden cardiac death. Administered promptly and properly, the device can restore a normal heart rhythm by delivering an electrical shock across the person’s chest.
“AEDs can mean the difference between life and death,” said Mark Swanson, interim director of Public Protection. “Without immediate CPR and defibrillation, the victim loses consciousness, becomes unresponsive and dies. Chances of survival diminish by 7 to 10% for each minute without treatment. After 10 minutes, resuscitation efforts rarely succeed.”
Swanson noted that AEDs are designed so people with little or no training can use them. Once activated, an AED will play instructions out loud for how to use it. However, Swanson’s staff is providing onsite, detailed training to staff at each location.
The cost of an AED ranges from $1,300 to $1,700. The Public Protection Department received grants from the Florida Department of Health and Emergency Medical Services Trust Funds to cover the equipment costs.
Swanson and his team will research cardiac arrest data and coordinate with the Community Services Department to determine appropriate locations for additional AEDs in Volusia County.
