Representatives from Heart-Safe Moore County remain upbeat about their progress to make life-saving AEDs more available.

The nonprofit group has been working diligently on several fronts to place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout Moore County.

Sudden cardiac arrest, commonly called a massive heart attack, occurs when the regular heart rhythm is interrupted. Blood flow to the brain slows, and the victim loses consciousness. Without help, death can occur in a matter of minutes.

HeartSafe Zone

In an effort to make AEDs more common in municipalities, HeartSafe Moore County is working on a HeartSafe Zone in downtown Southern Pines.

"I would have never guessed we would have that kind of positive impact this soon," said Buddy Spong, director of the American Red Cross of Moore County and a member of HeartSafe Moore County.

Time is the most critical factor in a sudden cardiac arrest.

Defibrillation is most successful if administered within the first five minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest. To stay within that time frame, if an emergency occurred, Spong said downtown Southern Pines would need about 16 units.

"We need one on every block," Spong said.

Each AED is in a case that notifies EMS when it is opened. The cases are not locked. Spong doesn't believe theft or vandalism of the machines will be an issue.

"By mounting them outside, there is some risk," Spong said, "but they are accessible, and that is a bigger benefit."

The town of Southern Pines recently purchased 11 AEDs. Ten will be installed in public buildings near downtown, including the Douglass Community Center and the town library.

The other will be a portable unit for the Parks and Recreation Department.

Spong called the purchase a big boost that will be another step toward making downtown Southern Pines safer.

Southern Pines Public Safety Director Rick Baker said town leaders have been talking about purchasing the devices for years, but now that the technology is affordable and the devices are easy to use, this is a good time to purchase the devices.

"We just felt like it was the right thing to do," Baker said.

Baker said the Fire and Police Departments have used the devices for years, and they have saved an average of one life per year.

"No matter what it costs us, if we can save the life of one of our residents or one of our children, then it is worth it," Baker said.

Once the devices are all in place, monitoring and tracking of them will be handled by the county's Department of Public Safety.

Using the devices is simple. A computerized voice tells someone step-by-step how to use the device. Training can be conducted in a matter of hours.

Liability Concerns

Dr. Robin Cummings, a member of HeartSafe Moore County, said some residents have expressed concerns about their liability if someone dies after being treated with an AED. He said that is quickly becoming a nonissue, and someday soon legal liability will be greater for businesses that don't have access to AEDs.

"It's getting to a point where if you don't have the machine and you are going to have some savvy attorney asking you why," Cummings said.

So far, 26 businesses -- including Elliott's On Linden, Chef Warren's, Pinecrest Inn, Pinehurst Auto Group, Bill Smith Ford/Lincoln/Mazda, Gullistan Carpets, National Golf Club, Seven Lakes Country Club, The Pilot, St. Joseph of the Pines, village of Whispering Pines -- and five churches have added one or more AEDs. The local Optimists, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs have been particularly generous with their donations.

HeartSafe Moore County launched its campaign in November with a goal to help save lives by promoting the availability of AEDs in public places, such as schools, golf clubs, churches, businesses and other public locations.

Closing in on Goal

HeartSafe Moore County is closing in on its goal of full coverage at all 22 public schools in Moore County. Currently there are 24 units. The goal is to have 44.

Cummings said the group is working on securing grants that could provide money to supply enough units to fully cover the schools.

AEDS have been donated for placement in Moore County public schools since December 2007. Sandhills Community College and The O'Neal School have also received donations of AEDs for their campuses.

AEDS can be purchased for $1,500. That cost includes the device, all the necessary training and a weatherproof carrying case that is equipped with basic first-aid materials. The alarm cabinet, which is required for all AED installations in schools, costs $275.

All donations are fully tax-deductible. AEDs are provided by Cardiac Science Corp. Those interested in making donations are asked to make checks payable to: MooreHealth /HeartSafe Moore County, P.O. Box 2175, Southern Pines, NC 28388. For more information, call 910-947-6500, or visit, www.heartsafemoore.org

On the state level, HeartSafe Moore County representatives made presentations to the state senate's Legislative Committee, the Justus-Warren Task Force on Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and the State Board of Education. The hard work is paying off, as legislation is being developed.

"Things are in the works," Cummings said.

Cummings and Spong both said they have be told by legislators that it likely will be the fall session before more progress is made.

HeartSafe Moore County representatives hope that the interest generated by their hard work will pay off with statewide legislation to make AEDs mandatory at schools.

"It is a domino kind of a thing," Spong said. "But you have to get that first domino to drop."

Contact Tom Embrey at 693-2473 or by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com.

Reprinted with permission, The Pilot, Southern Pines, NC