As state and municipal government authorities across the nation consider laws mandating the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in public places, a legislator in Raleigh, NC, who collapsed at her desk was saved using one.
State Rep. Becky Carney, 64, was on the phone with a colleague when she collapsed with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Building security staff and Rep. Bob England, MD, arrived to find Carney unconscious and without a pulse. They used a Cardiac Science Powerheart AED G3 defibrillator to restart Carney’s heartbeat. Carney was reported to be alert when she was transported to a nearby Raleigh hospital.
The Powerheart G3 defibrillator had been installed in the Legislative Building some years earlier.
“It’s a wonderful thing about having it here,” England told the press afterward. “All public places should have that kind of equipment.”
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April 21st, 2009 at 1:16 pm
These home defibrillators are very important, the faster you receive the shock, the better your survival rate will be. Thanks for the interesting story glad to see these things working!
April 21st, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Thanks for the comment, Matt.
We’re doing everything we can to get the word out about the importance of public access defibrillators in public places.
A high visibility save like North Carolina State Rep. Becky Carney is an unfortunate but powerful way to raise awareness about the dangers of sudden cardiac arrest.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Very interesting. I can’t believe they actually sell defibrillators to the public for home usage. Does anyone have more information about the success rates of individuals suffering from heart attacks at home and using these machines? I would think that someone would need some kind of medical license before being able to operate this…or maybe I am misinterpreting things. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
July 6th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Ward, thanks for your note. A medical license is not required to operate an AED. In fact, most AEDs – including the Powerheart AED that revived Becky Carney – are designed to be used by laypersons.