Bluffton Bulldogs Gifted Defibrillator for Lifesaving Care on Sidelines

Bluffton youth sports mom and family nurse practitioner, Kim Bean, MSN, FNP-C, worked with the Arrhythmia Alliance (A-A) and Beaufort Memorial Hospital to ensure there is an automated external defibrillator (AED) available for anyone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest at a Bluffton Bulldogs football or cheer event. The organization used a sponsorship from Beaufort Memorial to purchase the AED through the A-A’s Defibs Save Lives campaign.

Bean wanted to make sure that the nonprofit, volunteer youth sports organization would be able to react and use the lifesaving device if a cardiac event occurs. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death for youth and teen athletes during exercise and can happen with no warning. It is crucial to act quickly because early defibrillation dramatically improves survival rates – with every minute, the chance of survival goes down by 10%.

“As a certified family nurse practitioner and Mom who volunteers at youth sporting events, I recognize the need for youth sports organizations to have access to AEDs,” said the mother of three children. “AEDs save lives when seconds matter. I am proud to say that, thanks to Beaufort Memorial, the Bluffton Bulldog youth football and cheer organization is prepared.”

An AED is a lightweight portable medical device that analyzes a heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock to revive someone from sudden cardiac arrest. This usually occurs when a disruption in the heart's electrical activity causes a dangerously fast heartbeat (ventricular tachycardia) or a fast and irregular heartbeat (ventricular fibrillation). Either of these irregular heart rhythms keeps the heart from pumping effectively and can cause it to stop. The AED is used to jolt the heart back to a regular rhythm.

“It is with great pleasure that we can provide the AED so generously donated by Beaufort Memorial,” said Michelle Licona, A-A community events coordinator. “We hope more organizations will recognize the need for these lifesaving devices throughout our community. The AED provided to the Bluffton Bulldogs will help save the life of anyone of any age in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.”

“Our aim of the Defibs Save Lives campaign is to make AEDs as commonplace as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers,” said A-A CEO and Founder Trudie Lobban, MBE. “They should be accessed easily and quickly in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest when every second counts. The reality is in the US approximately 360,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest each year, and 80% of those deaths could be avoided if the correct intervention happens. The use of an AED in those crucial minutes before medical assistance arrives can mean the difference between life and death, and this is why it’s so important that we have AEDs in as many communities as possible.”

A-A is a locally based nonprofit charity with a global presence raising awareness and education about heart rhythm disorders. A-A has been placing AEDs within the local community for several years, including equipping all Bluffton police vehicles.

Anyone can use an AED, it will guide you through all stages with clear instructions, talking to you throughout the process. Many people are concerned that they may harm the person however this is not possible – you cannot harm anyone, but you can potentially save a life.