Smart911 Celebrates Valentine's Day By Honoring American Heart Month

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Feb. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On a day when hearts across the country may be full of love, and flowers and chocolates are bountiful, the public safety experts from Rave Mobile Safety, creators of Smart911, are celebrating by honoring American Hearth Month. Rave is reminding citizens to take a moment and reflect on heart health to ensure theirs remains strong. Because while a heart may skip a beat on this day of romance when Cupid's arrow finds its mark, it is important to take symptoms seriously and remember that fast action and precise communication plays a significant role in handling a heart related emergency. 

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According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart and blood vessel disease is the nation's No. 1 killer. Roughly 325,000 people die annually of coronary attack before they even get to a hospital or emergency room (ER). Rave is encouraging citizens to familiarize themselves with the warning signs of heart attacks, seek immediate medical attention should any occur, and create a Smart911 Safety Profile for fast, enhanced response during 9-1-1 emergencies.

Every year tens of thousands of people across the U.S. not only survive heart attacks, they return to work and enjoy a normal life. However, the AHA notes that not all heart attacks are sudden and intense; most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. As a result, people often aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Minutes count when it comes to heart attacks so be familiar with the following warning signs:

• Chest Discomfort: A sensation in the center of the chest that feels like pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain. This can last more than a few minutes, or, go away and then return.
• Upper Body Discomfort: Pain or discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, stomach, or in one or both arms.
• Shortness of Breath: This may or may not be accompanied by chest discomfort.
• Additional Signs: Cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Should a person experience any of these symptoms, even if they are not sure it's a heart attack, the AHA urges not waiting more than five minutes to call 9-1-1 to ensure rapid treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff assist on arrival, typically an hour faster than if someone is driven by car to an ER (a person should only drive themselves if there is no alternative). Also, EMS is trained to revive a heart that has stopped, and, patients that arrive at a hospital via ambulance typically receive faster treatment.

Rave's public safety experts also encourage citizens to create a Safety Profile at www.smart911.com which can include data they want 9-1-1 to have during an emergency. A Safety Profile is delivered automatically to 9-1-1 with an emergency call. Dispatchers can then view vital details and immediately inform emergency responders in the field who arrive with a better understanding of the situation, resulting in more precise action and faster time-to-treatment.

A Smart911 Safety Profile can include data about a person, family, residence, even pets, ranging from information on medical conditions, disabilities and special needs to home addresses of mobile phones users, emergency contacts and more. As a result, if a person with a heart condition calls 9-1-1, the dispatcher can alert EMS staff in the field, who can act fast. Recently in Nashville, 9-1-1 received a mobile call from an unresponsive person with a history of heart disease. Information in the Safety Profile is credited with helping save the caller's life by enabling the right EMS resources to be dispatched to the right location immediately.

A Smart911 Safety Profile is private, secure and only available to 9-1-1 during an emergency call. Smart911 now helps emergency responders in 28 states and more than 300 municipalities to protect millions. Because it is a national system, once a Safety Profile has been created, it can be delivered with an emergency call in any area of the country if the local 9-1-1 call center is supported by Smart911.

"Nearly everyone knows someone who has experienced heart trouble," said Tom Axbey, president and CEO, Rave Mobile Safety. "It's Valentine's Day and American Heart Month, so it's a good opportunity for all to understand the warning signs of heart attacks and the importance of time-to-treatment. We also encourage folks to take a few minutes today to create a Safety Profile that will help emergency responders to help them avoid the damage and tragedy that heart attacks can cause."

About Rave Mobile Safety
Rave Mobile Safety is the most trusted software partner for campus and public safety. Used by leading Institutes of Higher Education and State and Local Agencies, the award-winning portfolio of Rave SafeCampus, RaveAlert, RaveGuardian, Eyewitness, Smart911 and SmartPrepare enables millions to feel safe, secure and connected. Rave Mobile Safety is headquartered in Framingham, MA. For more information please visit www.ravemobilesafety.com.

Contact:
Marty Querzoli
Davies Murphy Group
Public Relations for Rave Mobile Safety
[email protected]
(781) 418-2433

SOURCE Rave Mobile Safety