According to the North Georgia Heart Foundation, only eight percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims survive, prompting a campaign to raise awareness on life saving techniques for local businesses.
The foundation kicked off the campaign Saturday morning in Gainesville at Turner, Wood & Smith Insurance, the first business to join the Raise the 8 campaign.
"We are calling on businesses across North Georgia to participate in the Raise the 8 campaign," said Daniel Thompson, North Georgia Heart Foundation's executive director. "The campaign includes the purchase of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for your business, as well as training for you and your staff, in hands-only CPR and use of the AED."
Currently, there is no requirement in Georgia for schools, churches, community-based nonprofits, government buildings or businesses to have an AED on site, but Jeffrey Marshall, MD, FACC, FSCAI, founder of NGHF and a cardiologist with The Heart Center at Northeast Georgia Medical Center says having one could be a life saver.
"Approximately, four out of five cardiac arrests happen outside of the hospital," said Marshall. "Effective hands-only CPR and the use of an AED immediately after cardiac arrest can double or even triple a victim's chance of survival."
The foundation is asking businesses to help make north Georgia the leader in out of hospital cardiac arrest survivability. Raise the 8 participation includes:
- An AED for your business, organization or home
- Staff training in hands-only CPR and use of the AED
- The potential to help save a life in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest
- A tax-deductible donation to support NGHF and a partial payment for another AED that can be placed in an emergency responder vehicle, church or place of public gathering.
For every 100 businesses that commit to this campaign, 10 extra AEDs would be placed into the community.
Rob Fowler, Partner at Turner, Wood & Smith and board member of NGHF said he is proud to be the first Raise the 8 particpant.
"Our business is protecting employers, individuals and their families, so participating in the campaign is an easy way to invest in the safety of our employees while giving back to the Gainesville-Hall community," said Fowler.
For more information about the Raise the 8 campaign or to particpate as a business, visit the North Georgia Heart Foundation's website.
