Another Great SCA Survivor Story

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor Donates Defibrillator to Grandson’s School after Defying the Odds at Casino

February 29, 2016  AED, Defibrillator, donation, Forward Hearts, Sudden Cardiac Arrest

A Louisiana man who survived a sudden cardiac arrest at Boomtown Casino donates an automated external defibrillator (AED) to St. Rosalie School with HeartSine’s Forward Hearts program

James Stein defied all odds last October when he survived a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) at a local casino that almost cost him his life.

Fortunately, luck was on his side, as the casino was equipped with an AED and staff members performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a timely manner. Time is critical during sudden cardiac arrest because for every minute defibrillation is delayed, the victim’s chance of survival decreases by seven to 10 percent.

To celebrate his luck and promote the importance of quick access to AEDs, Stein will donate a HeartSine® samaritan® PAD 350P (SAM 350P) AED to St. Rosalie School in Harvey, Louisiana. The device will be provided by HeartSine Technologies Forward Hearts program, which allows survivors of an SCA event in which a HeartSine defibrillator has been used, to donate a HeartSine AED to the charity or organization of the survivor’s choice, at no cost.

The Stein family donates a HeartSine AED to St. Rosalie School in celebration of Stein’s survival. Pictured: Scott Stein, James Stein (survivor), He’nri Stein, Mary Wenzel, Fr. Larry Urban, and Taylor Stein

The potentially lifesaving SAM 350P AED, which analyzes the heart rhythm and delivers an electrical shock to victims of SCA in order to restore the heart to normal rhythm, will protect thousands of faculty members and students at St. Rosalie School. Stein chose to donate the AED to St. Rosalie School because his grandson is a student there.

“I feel so blessed and fortunate to be alive today, and I am glad to have the opportunity to protect my grandson and his classmates at his school,” said Stein. “Surviving a sudden cardiac arrest should not be a matter of luck. All public places should be equipped with AEDs.”

Much to the joy of his family – which includes his wife of 43 years, six children and grandchildren – Stein suffered no neurological damage and has resumed taking walks, cooking, and doing many of the other activities he enjoys.

“Mr. Stein’s survival from sudden cardiac arrest is a great example of the importance of AEDs in all public places,” said Michael Lockwood, sales manager at HeartSine. “As sudden cardiac arrests truly can take place anywhere, it is imperative to place AEDs in all public spaces from casinos to schools.”

The HeartSine AED at Boomtown Casino that saved Stein’s life was supplied by HeartSine’s authorized distributor Think Safe, Inc., a first-aid industry wholesaler based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

“It is important to communicate that AEDs help protect against one of the nation’s leading causes of death,” said Paula Wickham, Think Safe’s president. “Only through more AED placements and quick response by volunteers and staff, like this exemplary event at Boomtown Casino, will we stop the impact of the average 350,000 deaths that occur annually as a result of SCA. AEDs are easy to use and should be placed in all public places.”

The HeartSine AED was given to St. Rosalie School on February 29, 2016.

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Interested in finding out how Think Safe’s products and services can benefit your organization? Simply contact Think Safe at 888-473-1777 or click on the More Information button, and we’ll be happy to contact you. Or, if you like what we do here, and you know someone who could benefit from our services, refer  us to a friend. We’d appreciate it!

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What Do Darth Vader and CPR Have in Common?

About a 104 beats per minute.

That’s right, Star Wars fans. If you can hum Vader’s theme song, The Imperial March (and we know you can), then you can also deliver the recommended rate of compressions for hands-only CPR. Why? Because the infamous Sith Lord marches to the rhythm of 104 beats per minute, which is within the 100- to 120-compressions-per-minute range recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA).

But don’t take our word for it: the proof is in this public service announcement from the Kiowa County EMS team.

Here’s why this is important: CPR is not only easy to learn, it’s also invaluable. According to the AHA, effective bystander CPR administered immediately after collapse from sudden cardiac arrest can double a victim’s chance of survival.

So—whether you get your training from the Dark Side, the Light Side, or from a local organization unaffiliated with the greater galactic politics of a galaxy far, far away—think about registering for a CPR class. One day, you might just save a life.

 

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To register for one of Think Safe’s in-person training courses or to find out more about what we can do to help you and your organization be more prepared in the event of an emergency, click Contact Us below. Or, if you like what we do here, and you know someone who could benefit from our services, refer us. We’d appreciate it!

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CPR Saves Lives! 2,500 People Just Told Us So…

Source: CPR Saves Lives! 2,500 People Just Told Us So…

Check out this great piece from Social Discussion covering the CPR Saves Lives March, an event that was part of the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Update (ECCU) 2015 Conference, which is held by Citizen CPR Foundation. In this march, 2500 people came together to march through the streets of San Diego in order to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, CPR, and AEDs. 

2500! We think that’s amazing! As a first aid technology distributor and a facilitator of first aid and CPR training certification, we know how critical emergency preparedness is. CPR and AEDs save lives—just see some of these lifesaving stories:

Newtown, PA
Northeast Iowa
Fitness Club
Wisconsin
Think Safe Employee
Chippewa Falls, WI

Think Safe is proud to be part of the emergency preparedness industry—proud to educate people how to respond when sudden cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies occur; proud to supply businesses with AEDs, AED management programs, and other first aid supplies; and proud to advocate for safer workplaces, better access to AEDs, and up-to-date information and training.

So, we were stoked to learn of the success of the CPR Saves Lives March! And we think everyone involved, including the thousands of people who turned out to march, deserves a shout-out for bringing emergency preparedness into the public eye in such a big way. Well done, everyone, and thank you!

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Interested in finding out how Think Safe’s products can benefit your workplace? Simply contact Think Safe at 888-473-1777 or click on the More Information button, and we’ll be happy to contact you. Or, if you like what we do, refer us to a friend!

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Reducing Costs: First Aid & AED Servicing Program

A new case study, prepared by Think Safe, provides the key resource material on proper yet lower maintenance servicing procedures, tools (including ordering and inspection logs and alerts), and reporting requirements. Additionally, the case study includes best-practice recommendations for medical and first aid programs in workplaces with a higher risk of injury.

The key focus of this case study is OSHA mandates (ANSI regulations) and how in-house safety programs can build refresher training into lower maintenance first aid or emergency medical preparedness programs.

To request a copy of this case study so you can learn how your workplace can benefit from this cost-saving information, simply call us at 319-377-5125 or click more information below and fill out the form.

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Black Friday Extended Sale!

Think Safe is bringing in the season with huge savings! From Wednesday, November 25, 2015, until 5p.m. CST on December 4, 2015, we’re offering 20% off and FREE shipping on anything from Think-Safe.com.

From first aid kits and supplies to our patented emergency instruction device (EID) to our many automatic external defibrillator (AED) options, we have everything you need to make your workplace, community center, or organization prepared for a medical emergency.

How It Works:

1. See our Black Friday Coupon at http://think-safe.com/site/black_friday_special_2015 to get your Black Friday coupon code.
2. Visit www.think-safe.com and shop through our products!
3. Once you know what you’d like to purchase, either give us a call at 319-377-5125 or email us at customercare@think-safe.com with the coupon code and product number(s) of your item(s).*This offer is not valid with other offers. The Black Friday Extended Sale expires 12/4/2015 at 5p.m. CST unless written valid authorization is received prior to the deadline.

We hope you have a safe winter season, and we thank you for your business, your support, and for helping us every day to make minutes matter!

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Interested in finding out how Think Safe’s products can benefit your workplace? Simply contact Think Safe at 888-473-1777 or click on the More Information button, and we’ll be happy to contact you. Or, if you like what we do, refer us to a friend!

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Mercy Donates 13 AEDs to Local Schools and Organizations

Mercy Medical Center Donates 13 AEDs to Local Schools and Organizations

Cedar Rapids, IA – November 19, 2015 – Eleven schools including Washington High School, Wilson Middle School, Franklin Middle School, Coolidge Elementary, Truman Elementary, Jackson Elementary, Van Buren Elementary, Summit Schools, all in Cedar Rapids; Hiawatha Elementary and Nixon Elementary, in Hiawatha; and Francis Marion Intermediate School, as well as St. Wenceslaus Church  and Waypoint, both in Cedar Rapids, will be outfitted with automated external defibrillators (AED) thanks to Mercy Medical Center, which donated the devices. The donation was made possible by both the Mercy Medical Center AED Donation Program, a program seeking to provide local nonprofits that demonstrate financial need with AEDs, and Think Safe, Inc., a local integrator and wholesaler in the first aid industry.

“I am excited to hear that Mercy is assisting in placing AEDs in the local schools,” said Hiawatha Fire Chief Michael Nesslage. “Early defibrillation can double the chance of survival in cardiac arrest, and every minute without CPR or defibrillation can reduce the chance of survival by as much as 10%.  Having AEDs where school staff can access and use them is sure to make a difference.”

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading killer in the United States. Annually, 300,000 people lose their lives to a sudden cardiac event. Of those 300,000, approximately 5,000 to 7,000 are students under the age of 21, most of which were unaware of a heart-related medical condition. The key to fighting SCA is early defibrillation within the initial minutes after 911 EMS has been called. Those critical early minutes make all the difference between life and death during SCA events.

“Everyone will feel safer knowing that there is an AED nearby that can help not only students and staff with known heart conditions in an emergency, but also our students and staff who may be completely unaware of a condition. SCA isn’t predictable, so we have to be prepared,” said Nancy Alderdyce, head nurse for Marion Independent School District and long-time advocate for SCA preparedness in schools.

The donated devices are HeartSine samaritan® PAD 350P AEDs, by HeartSine Technologies, a world leader in personal and public access defibrillators, and are sourced by Think Safe, headquartered in the Cedar Rapids metro area. Think Safe has been providing life-saving equipment and training for over 10 years, all over the world, and is an innovator in the first aid industry, holding various proprietary patents as a manufacturer of First Voice first aid hardware and software products. Think Safe is dedicated to the fight against SCA and gladly offers AED grants or contributing donations to help offset the costs of life-saving devices.

“Mercy is pleased to be partnering with Think Safe to make the AEDs available for donation in our community,” said Melissa Cullum, community benefit manager at Mercy Medical Center.  “Mercy is committed to equipping qualifying local non-profits with these life-saving devices.  We know AED’s are a critical component in increasing survival rates among sudden cardiac arrest victims.”

The AEDs will be installed throughout the month of November on the following dates.

Friday, November 20, 2015:
St. Wenceslaus Parish Center, 8:30 a.m.
Francis Marion Intermediate School, 9:30 a.m.
Summit Schools, 10:30 a.m.
Franklin Middle School, 11:15 a.m.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015:
Van Buren Elementary School, 9:15 a.m.
Truman Elementary School, 9:45a.m.
Jackson Elementary School, 10:15a.m.
Waypoint Services for Women, Children, and Families, 11:00a.m.
Nixon Elementary School, 1:30 p.m.

Monday, November 30, 2015:
Hiawatha Elementary School, 10:00a.m.
Washington High School, 12:45 p.m.
Wilson Middle School, 1:30p.m.
Coolidge Elementary School, 2:30 p.m.

AED Laws: Do You Know the Risks?

Automated external defibrillators (AED) are the number one treatment for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), one of the nation’s leading killers. They are portable, user-friendly devices that even lay rescuers can use in an emergency to help save a life. As a result, many workplaces are required by law to have them on-site and many other workplaces have them on-site simply because they recognize their value as life-saving technology. AEDs are smart, responsible devices to have in your first aid and medical emergency tool belt, but owning one does come with liability.

So, you want to provide a safe working environment and be as prepared as possible in the event of SCA, but how can you be sure you’ve fully mitigated all AED program legal risk for your facilities or organization? Here’s the answer: know your state AED owner laws. AED owner laws exist in every state but vary widely. These laws require administrative and/or operational procedures for AED programs, help provide Good Samaritan and civil liability immunity protection, or even mandate AED ownership and deployments.

State AED owner laws do impact AED program operations and create or mitigate liability risk. It is important that you have an accurate and complete understanding of your state’s AED laws so you can ensure regulatory compliance, avoid costly administrative sanctions, and preserve any available Good Samaritan or civil liability immunity protections as an AED owner or for AED users within your organization.

That said, navigating state laws can be tricky and time consuming. That’s why some companies try to sell you a subscription to accessing information on state laws, with discounted multi-seat subscriptions for larger organizations. But, why pay when you can get your AED state law information for free through the First Voice State AED Laws portal? 

That’s right, we offer a no-cost subscription that makes learning about and mitigating the risks of AED ownership a snap! All you have to do is visit our AED State Laws page and fill out the form. We’ll get back to you within one (1) business day, and you’ll be well on your way to safe, informed AED ownership. 

We hope to you hear from you soon, and we thank you for helping us every day to make minutes matter!