New AEDs placed at Tri-Cities sports complexes amid increased cardiac arrest concerns

Local sports complexes around the Tri-Cities are being stocked with an onsite automated external defibrillator (AED) to increase cardiac arrest survival rates.

AEDs are medical tools used to revive people from sudden cardiac arrest, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sudden cardiac arrest is often caused by fast or irregular heartbeat due to disrupted heart activity. When a heartbeat is too fast or too irregular, the heart won’t pump effectively, eventually stopping.

When the heart stops, it stops sending blood and oxygen to the rest of the body. If it isn’t restarted within minutes, brain damage starts to set in and death quickly follows. This is why having public access to AEDs can save lives, as it allows untrained bystanders to revive a heartbeat without medical knowledge. A recorded voice walks users through the steps and pictures on the device offer visual aids.

The Kadlec Foundation is partnering with youth sports programs to supply the AEDs. The nonprofit uses donations to elevate community health, through local programs, hospital support, scholarships and several directed funds.

Cardiac arrest survival

The American Heart Association identifies cardiac arrest as a leading cause of death in the U.S. Companies, schools and sports organizations are urged to have an emergency plan ready in case of sudden cardiac arrest.

The Kadlec Foundation is working toward increasing the local survival rates by addressing barriers to immediate care. A press conference was held March 27 at the Jefferson Playfield with several project partners, announcing the placement of AEDs at a dozen local facilities.

“Why are AEDs important? In the United States, approximately 350,000 people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year,” said Chief Michael Van Beek of Richland Fire and Emergency Services at the press conference. “But unfortunately, even when a cardiac arrest is witnessed, only about 10% of people survive.”

Van Beek says Tri-Cities residents have a much better survival rate than the rest of the country at 50%. But he says this can be further improved by increasing AED accessibility and decreasing bystander hesitancy. It can be difficult for a bystander to take action for several reasons, like safety concerns or a potential liability.

But AEDs don’t require up-close and personal contact like traditional CPR does. Washington state also has a Good Samaritan Law, protecting people from potential liability who take part in emergency care with genuine intent to save a life.

“The effectiveness of early cardiac arrest recognition, starting CPR and using a defibrillator played out before us in a Monday Night Football game in January when Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest,” Van Beek said. “This shows that sudden cardiac arrest can strike anywhere, any time, and affect anyone.”

When it comes to cardiac arrest, time is of the essence. This is especially concerning for parents of student athletes, who know the NFL is better equipped to respond to such an emergency than smaller organizations. Professional athletes have a higher standard of medical care and protection than amateurs.

Commotio cordis

The cause of Hamlin’s cardiac arrest has not been confirmed, but some medical experts are considering the possibility of commotio cordis, a condition that follows chest trauma. Research suggests that survival rates are drastically reduced after a three-minute response time. Deaths tied to commotio cordis are primarily young, male athletes.

When commotio cordis occurs, the immediate aftermath is a cardiac arrest, like when Hamlin was hit in the chest and got up normally, but then collapsed. His survival is credited to the quick response of CPR, then an AED, then medical transportation. This follows the NFL’s emergency action plan.

The National Athletic Trainers Association released an official statement on commotio cordis in 2007 that is still used. It includes ten suggestions for keeping young athletes safe and preventing commotio cordis.

• Educate players, parents and officials in signs and symptoms
• Encourage coaches and officials to take part in CPR, first aid and AED training
• Access to AEDs at athletic facilities
• Educate coaches and officials about the urgency of CPR and AED response times
• Establish an emergency action plan

Local Kadlec Foundation collaboration

Local parent and Kadlec employee Dale Bourgeois, the director of Diagnostic Imaging, brought the idea to the Kadlec Foundation, noting how important it is to have this AED access around youth sports. After some discussion, AEDs have been placed at:

• Jefferson Playfield in Richland
• Badger Mountain Park in Richland
• Bombing Range Sports Complex in West Richland
• Pasco Little League Complex
• Columbia Playfield in Richland
• Lawrence Scott Park in Kennewick
• Kennewick American Baseball Complex
• Kennewick National Baseball Complex
• Benton City Little League
• TRAC Sports Complex in Pasco
• Southridge Sports Complex in Kennewick
• Claybell Park Sport Complex in Richland
• Richland Babe Ruth Sports Complex

The AEDs will be readily available in the case of an emergency. No matter who experiences sudden cardiac arrest around these locations, someone nearby will be able to easily assist them and increase their chance of survival.

“We hope to never have to use something like this, but in the event of a medical emergency for a kid, a player, a coach, an umpire, or just a bystander watching the game, it’s comforting to know that now we have something available to us at the park to try and save a life while we wait for the first responders to come and finish the job,” said Dan Evans, President of the Greater Richland Little League, at the press conference.

Increased regional safety efforts

The American Heart Association recommends that AEDs are placed in schools, workplaces and community centers. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports sudden cardiac arrest as a leading cause of death in youth athletes and has recommendations for health care workers, parents and communities for preventing future deaths.

Parents, particularly of student athletes, can look for CPR and AED training courses in their area. Local programs are available at Kadlec, the City of Richland and several churches, including the Meadow Springs Presbyterian Church. The same action can be taken by school staff and coaches. Schools are also encouraged to partner with local medical organizations to have staff at rigorous athletic events.

Some states require AEDs within a certain proximity of all schools, but Washington has no requirements.