The City Of Aiken To Add Life-Saving Automated External Defibrillators To Parks

As part of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) continued effort to provide safe parks and facilities, the City of Aiken has begun installing additional Automated External Defibrillators (AED) stations for public use in its parks.  “Staff of the PRT department are certified in CPR, 1st Aide, and AEDs. We recognize that emergencies may occur outside of staffed operating hours, or in areas where our existing AEDs are not located,” says Jessica Campbell, Director of PRT, “These outdoor units will allow for park patrons to have access to this life-saving medical device at all times. Everyone can help save a life.” PRT is expected to complete the list of additional installations before the start of 2021.

The AEDs will be located on the exterior walls of bathrooms and buildings. AED units are housed in cabinets and display the AED symbol.  The outdoor cabinets are equipped with an alarm and strobe light that activates when the cabinet is opened.  Park patrons should look for the posted AED sign while visiting the parks so that in an emergency, they can quickly locate the unit.

AEDs are medical devices that can help save lives in the event of cardiac arrest. When necessary, they send an electric current to the heart to help it reset itself from an ineffective rhythm. Any individual may use AEDs in response to a cardiac emergency. While no training or certification is required, the device will prompt the user with step-by-step verbal instructions. All AEDs installed at City facilities are equipped for use on adults and children. In the event of an emergency, call 911.