County expands availability of AED technology
Lee County reported that it has expanded the availability of lifesaving Automated Electronic Defibrillators (AEDs) with additional units placed outdoors in five Parks & Recreation locations.
The new units mean it will have deployed a total of 258 AEDs across several different county locations, including parks and recreation sites, libraries, county administration offices, solid waste facilities, water treatment plants, baseball fields and more.
The addition of the units will mean 73 AEDs are deployed at Parks & Recreation facilities. Lee County Emergency Medical Services responds to 20 to 30 cardiac-related calls at park locations annually.
Cardiac arrest survival requires quick intervention by members of the public. The likelihood of survival for victims of sudden cardiac arrest exponentially increases when bystander CPR or use of an AED is administered. Increase of public knowledge will allow for greater survival rates in the county.
In addition, the AEDs are housed in cabinets and will also include Stop the Bleed equipment to help control life-threatening bleeding. The cabinets are located near restrooms or other structures because they use electric power to keep equipment charged and climate controlled. The cabinet will automatically alert 911 when it is accessed and the nearest ambulance will respond.
The units are installed at:
– Brooks Park, at 50 South Road, Fort Myers
– Buckingham Park, at 9800 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers
– Lakes Park, at 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers
– Rutenberg Park, at 6500 South Pointe Blvd., Fort Myers
– Three Oaks Park, at 18251 Three Oaks Parkway, Fort Myers
Historically, AED utilization is low because many bystanders do not know where the devices are located and lack confidence in using them. People also may be unaware an emergency is happening nearby. To view a video about how AEDs work, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AS_pyg4RB8&t=4s.