City of Mesa CPR and AED Program

In an emergency, what will you do?  Are you prepared? Can you save a life?  Will you save a life?

The City of Mesa through the Mesa Fire Department has undertaken a community-wide effort to encourage the successful placement and maintenance of AEDs in the City.  The web pages will facilitate as an informational resource for both public and privately placed AEDs.

What is an AED?
An automated external defibrillator is a.ce that delivers an electric shock to the heart.  The AED examines the patient's heart rhythm and determines whether the heart is in a "shockable" rhythm.  If in a shockable rhythm, the machine will advise and can deliver a shock.  The machine determines whether the electric treatment is needed or not, not the user.

Why is an AED used?
Electrical shock is the best treatment for some lethal heart dysrhythmias.  These dysrhythmias include ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.  The idea is that the electrical shock will stop the hearts activity for a split second, and a normal heartbeat will start.

What happened to CPR?
Nothing!  CPR is still an important part of the Public Access Defibrillation Program!  CPR helps sustain the brain and other vital organs.  In some cases a shock will not be given to a person, and CPR is extremely important.

CPR Certification classes through the Mesa Fire Department

What is the Demonstration Project (SHARE Program) on Continuous Chest Compression (CCR) as an Alternative for Adults?
A study by the Sarver Heart Center indicates that Continuous Chest Compression (Cardiocerebral Resuscitation - CCR) on an adult at 200 compressions over two minutes can maintain the flow of blood through the body allowing blood to reach the brain and the heart.  Ideally a defibrillator should be used on the patient following the compressions and then the cycle should be repeated.   This method is reserved for adults collapsing because of cardiac arrest.  The traditional method of CPR is still recommended for drowning victims, choking victims or children.

Continuous Chest Compression CCR for the unexpected collapse of an adult***

  1. Direct someone to call 911 or make the call yourself
  2. Position the patient on the floor
  3. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest with the other hand on top
  4. Lock your elbows and perform forceful chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute.  Lift your hands slightly after each push to allow the chest to recoil.

     ***For cases of drowning, overdose or collapse in children follow standard CPR (2 mouth-to-mouth breaths for every 30 chest compressions)


Continuous Chest Compression CCR (video)

 

City of Mesa AED Program Goals:

  • Educate the City of Mesa and its residents on the importance of lay responder CPR and use of AEDs.
  • Create guidelines and resources for AEDs placed within the City of Mesa.
  • Create online tools to help maintain AEDs placed within the City of Mesa.
  • Conduct community training classes on how to perform CPR and use AEDs.
  • Increase the out of hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest survival rates in the City of Mesa.


City of Mesa AED Program Resources:

Have questions or need more information, please call (480) 644-3459.