Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter Launches Nation's First Community Response Team With Amish

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Underscoring that a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) emergency requires quick response and that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are easy to use, the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA) has launched a unique community response team (CRT) with the Amish community of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, at the center of a broad program that will deploy AEDs in public locations, schools and even on horse and buggies and Amish farms to protect the community's residents and visitors from the nation's leading cause of death.

The initiative involves nearly 50 citizens from Paradise Township-many of whom are leaders of the region's Amish community–fully trained in CPR and the use of AEDs to serve as first responders, working in conjunction with local EMS, fire and police departments.

"The national survival rate for SCA is only 5-8 percent because it strikes any time at any place, and, unfortunately, emergency responders cannot always arrive immediately to provide the necessary resuscitation and defibrillation," said James Weber, leader of the Community Response Team and chair of SCAA's Eastern Pennsylvania chapter. "These citizens, especially the Amish, who have traditionally rejected the use of technology, recognize that SCA is such a public health crisis that they are stepping forward to serve as first responders and utilize technology to create a safer, healthier community for their families, neighbors and visitors."

Weber led the training for the CRT participants and notes the sessions with Amish leaders reinforced that AEDs are easy to use. "We took a group of people who are not exposed to computers, video games or automobiles, yet within minutes, were able to follow the voice prompts of the AED to quickly and successfully apply a life-saving shock. There is no excuse why other communities, businesses and institutions cannot take a similar approach to protect their residents, employees and customers," said Weber.

While managed by the Paradise Township Government, the Community Response Team program is a joint partnership which includes the Manheim Township Ambulance Association, SCAA, Cardiac Science Corporation, and Ephrata Community Hospital. The program has strategically deployed AEDs and other communication devices throughout the largely rural area, including in Amish farms, churches and community centers. Participants completed extensive training in life-saving emergency procedures.

SCA is an electrical disruption of the heart's natural rhythm. It is not the same as a heart attack. SCA is the nation's leading cause of death, killing nearly 300,000 Americans each year.

About the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association

SCAA is the nation's largest non-profit advocacy organization exclusively dedicated to SCA awareness and prevention.  For more information, please visit www.suddencardiacarrest.org.

About Cardiac Science Corporation

Cardiac Science develops, manufactures, and markets advanced diagnostic and therapeutic cardiology devices and systems, including automated external defibrillators (AEDs), electrocardiograph devices (ECG/EKG), cardiac stress test treadmills and systems, Holter monitoring systems, hospital defibrillators, cardiac rehabilitation telemetry systems, vital signs monitors, and cardiology data management systems (informatics) that connect with hospital information (HIS), electronic medical record (EMR), and other information systems. For more information, please visit www.cardiacscience.com.

About Ephrata Community Hospital

Ephrata Community Hospital has been serving residents of northern Lancaster County for over 60 years and continues to meet the changing healthcare needs of the community through expansion of services, facilities, medical staff and technology. For more information, please visit www.ephratahospital.org.

About Manheim Township Ambulance Association

Manheim Township Ambulance Association has been a leading provider of medical transportation services in a 911 and non-emergency capacity since 1971. It continues to strive for excellence by remaining on the cutting edge of technology. For more information, please visit www.manheimtownshipems.org

Editors' note:  Still photos of the community training are available by contacting James Weber at 717-405-7599.

SOURCE Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association