When someone is going into cardiac arrest it is vital to have access to quick and efficient medical treatment.
A student-led group is looking to advance the quality of life for people in Newfoundland and Labrador by launching the HeartStarter Project.
Hannah Blundon, the co-Vice President of Enactus Memorial and Project Manager, says every minute is vital when someone is goes into cardiac arrest.
The project has two components; the first being the use of drones to deliver AEDs to people in need, should someone enter cardiac arrest.
Drones can deliver the machines quicker over rough terrain or remote areas, and the person with the patient can begin using the AED before paramedics would be able to arrive.
According to Blundon, the final product is close to being rolled out.
They’ve partnered with a local startup called ‘AS Works’ to build a custom drone that can house the AEDs inside. They hope to have a finished design by April, which will be piloted in a community before more are rolled out.
The second part of the program is to create awareness about AEDs and heart health in general.
Blundon says they want to see an official AED registry started, which will let people know where the machines are located in any given community. They’re using an app called ‘Pulse Point AED’ to help begin that process.
She says the app is simple: You take a picture of where the AED is, write a description of the location and the app logs it for you.