Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) celebrated the deployment of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in Tignish, Jan 9. With the support of national sponsors Boston Pizza Foundations, The Cowan Foundaton and Tignish Volunteer Fire Department an AED will be placed at the Tignish Health Centre. 

“Having an AED installed at the Centre provides a safer environment for our staff and for individuals who use our facility,” said Stephen Gallant, president, board of directors, Tignish Co-Op Health Centre.

“The Health Centre is committed to getting the word out in our community that AED’s are effective, simple-to-use devices that anyone can use to save a life.”

Defibrillators will be placed in public places across the country including community centres, sports arenas, and shopping malls. Criteria for determining areas most in need include emergency response times, the potential for higher incidence of sudden cardiac arrests in large public places, and local readiness to support a public access defibrillator program.

AED’s allow non-medical personnel to restore heart rhythm and life. The AED uses voice prompts and text messages to tel the rescuer what steps to take and delivers an electric shock to the heart. AED’s can be used within minutes of someone collapsing.

The Centre was chosen by the Heart and Stroke foundation as an AED site through the Restart A Heart, Restart A Life AED placement program.