HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – In a move to enhance public safety and potentially save lives, Hillsborough County is expanding the availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in its parks, making them accessible to anyone, anytime, during a cardiac emergency.
The first of 25 new accessible AEDs will be unveiled tomorrow, Friday, June 6.
This initiative, a collaboration between Hillsborough County and the American Heart Association, aims to bridge the critical time gap in cardiac emergencies, where every second can be the difference between life and death.
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Medical experts emphasize that administering an AED within three minutes of a cardiac event significantly improves the chances of survival.
The newly installed defibrillators are designed for ease of use, requiring no prior training or certification. They will be housed in locked cabinets in publicly accessible locations within the parks. In the event of an emergency, individuals can call 911, and the dispatcher will provide the access code to the cabinet, simultaneously ensuring that first responders are immediately dispatched to the scene.
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This latest installation builds upon Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation’s ongoing commitment to public health. Last year, the County received a generous gift of 50 AEDs from the American Heart Association, which were strategically placed at parks and sports complexes heavily utilized by athletic leagues.
The current phase will see an additional 25 AEDs installed at the County’s most popular and most remote parks, further expanding this vital life-saving network.
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