Magnet Cove United Methodist Church in Malvern received an automated external defibrillator (AED) device this week through a partnership with LifeNet that is designed to help improve access to AEDs throughout the community.

Last year, LifeNet was dispatched on 78 cardiac arrests in Malvern.

“Ideally, every street in every community would have easy access to an AED, so whenever someone had a sudden cardiac arrest, the lifesaving device would be available as quick as possible,” said Jason Gartner, LifeNet General Manager.

According to the American Heart Association, a person’s chance of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest drops by seven to ten percent for every minute a normal heartbeat isn’t restored.

“Our job is to save lives, and this program is part of our pledge to ensure early access to advanced treatment is possible throughout the community when a sudden cardiac arrest happens,” said Tommy Singleton, Director of Operations for LifeNet. “The Zoll AED Plus is the device we have throughout the community. The device is great because it provides real-time feedback on rate and depth of chest compressions and supports rescuers with integrated text, voice, and visual prompts.”

AEDs work by delivering electricity to the heart when someone is in sudden cardiac arrest, which means the heart is not pumping blood through the body effectively and blood is not carrying oxygen to those parts of the body that need it.

LifeNet has been assisting businesses, churches, and other organizations throughout the community in purchasing AEDs for several years.

“LifeNet is committed to making our community a safer place, and providing funding to help provide AEDs in the community is one way we help,” said Gartner. “Through the program, we ask as a partner agency to essentially fund half of the cost of a new Zoll AED, while LifeNet funds the other half.”

To learn more about LifeNet’s AED program, call 501-624-4206.