In a recent study, researchers discovered that schools that have automated external defibrillators (AEDs), have a high rate of survival for students and others who have sudden cardiac arrests on campus, according to USA Today.
According to the study – found in the July 27 online edition of Circulation – as many as 83 percent of the 1,710 U.S. high schools with AED programs that were studied had an established emergency response plan for sudden cardiac arrest. Forty percent of those schools reviewed and practiced plans with possible school responders at least yearly.
During the study, Seattle researchers discovered 36 cases of sudden cardiac arrests at schools, including 14 athletes and 22 non-students. About 83 percent were given the AED shock. Of those, 64 percent survived the cardiac arrest to the point of being discharged from the hospital.
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