Donation expands AED access in Perth County

Perth County Paramedic Services Chief Mike Adair and commander Scott Rutherford display one of the newly donated automated external defibrillators (AEDs) gifted to Perth County by the charitable organization, Kickstart My Heart.

Perth County Paramedic Services was honoured to receive a generous donation of three automated external defibrillators (AEDs) from Kickstart My Heart earlier this year.

An AED helps restart a heart that has stopped beating properly during sudden cardiac arrest. It analyzes the heart's rhythm and, if needed, delivers an electrical shock to restore a normal heartbeat.

“The earlier you can do it, the better the survival rate,” said Mike Adair, chief of paramedic services. “Having accessible AEDs in the community is essential to cardiac safety.”

The donated AEDs will be added to Perth County’s regional Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) program, which places and monitors AEDs in publicly accessible locations across the region.

The latest AED model now includes a screen that displays visual prompts to guide users through each step. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who are hearing impaired or overwhelmed in an emergency.

“When someone is going into cardiac arrest, it can be very overwhelming with everything going on around you,” said Scott Rutherford, commander-in-chief. “Some people may not hear the prompts. With the new device, the screen is able to walk you through using the AED with visuals. It's just that one extra step to support people in using the AED efficiently.”

Through the PAD program, AEDs are currently placed at 94 locations across Perth County, including city halls, recreation centres, pools, libraries and other public buildings.

“More AEDs translate to a better chance of survival for people in our communities,” said Rutherford. “If it's available, it can be used. If it's not available, it can’t.

“We know that the chance of survival significantly increases when people have access to AEDs. That's why a program like this is so important.”

Although using an AED can seem intimidating, Rutherford said paramedics want the public to feel confident in using them – because it could mean the difference between life and death.

“If you come across someone who’s unresponsive, just go get (the AED),” he said. “The machine, once turned on, is very easy to use and walks you through each step.

“I’m not worried about the cost of replacing the system – I’m worried about the person you could save. So just get it and use it.”

Adair added there’s no harm in using one, even if you’re unsure.

“You don’t need to worry about using it wrong or on someone who doesn’t need it,” he said. “Each machine only shocks two of the most fatal heart rhythms, so it cannot hurt anyone who doesn’t need it.”

Kickstart My Heart is a charitable organization formed in 2024 by the Otto family to raise funds for public defibrillators. The initiative was inspired after an AED saved 18-year-old Cole Otto’s life during a cardiac event at the Mitchell baseball diamonds in 2023.

“After the incident with Cole, we felt compelled to take action to ensure more people can benefit from access to life-saving AEDs,” said the Otto family. “It was important to us to make a positive impact out of a frightening experience that could have ended much differently had an AED not been available.”

Adair said the PAD program is always looking to expand and improve.

“We are grateful for this generous donation to our PAD program,” he said. “It is our goal to make these life-saving devices readily available across the region.”

Future plans include modernizing the program and creating a digital map so community members can easily locate AEDs in their area.

Perth County Paramedic Services also offers an AED loaner program for special events. For more information, contact Perth County Paramedic Services directly.