| LIFE IN SOLERA | FEBRUARY 2023 | 9
Solera CERT Cadre
Recently, a group of Solera residents were having
breakfast at a local eatery. As usual, our mealtime
conversation migrated to recent news events. We talked
about the collapse of a football professional due to a heart
stoppage. The group was grateful our community recently
provided a CPR & AED class to residents. "What's an AED?"
was a comment made by a few in the group. It was then I
realized many in the community may not be aware of this
lifesaving device.
If you've ever watched a TV medical drama, chances are you've
seen someone shocked back to life by a health care provider who
yells, "Clear!" before delivering a jolt of electricity to the person's
chest to get the heart beating again. The machine being used is called
a defibrillator, and its use isn't limited to a hospital setting. Devices
called automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be used at home
and are also found in several public places in the community.
Sudden cardiac arrest is among the leading causes of death in the
United States. In fact, more than 350,000 people will suffer cardiac
arrest this year. Currently, the only way to restore a regular heart
rhythm during cardiac arrest is to use an AED.
Of course, you can (and should) request the assistance of trained
medical professionals. However, because the average response time
for first responders once 911 is called is eight to 12 minutes, and for
each minute defibrillation is delayed, the odds of survival are
reduced by approximately 10 percent, having access to an AED
and knowing how to use one is critical.
While anybody can use one of these life-saving devices, there's
still a bit of a learning curve to consider, especially when you
consider that every AED operates differently. To see how
this device functions, view a short video at https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=mfiWikreG4k
We recommend that residents receive hands-on training on
the use of an AED, coupled with the application of cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR). Training courses are available at:
• American Heart Association https://cpr.heart.org
• American Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/aed/
aed-training
• Loma Linda University Hospital https://alliedhealth.llu.edu/
academics/life-support-education/our-classes/heartsaver-first-aid-
and-cpraed
• San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital https://sgmh.org/education-
resources/
This article was brought to you by Ray C. Gayton-Jacob, coordinator
for the City of Beaumont CERT program at Solera. https://www.
solera-cert.info.
WHAT IS AN AED? For Seniors By Seniors
Take responsibility to protect your life! Prepare NOW for a sudden emergency
