[kendi]

Originally Posted by TVTVTV

There has been recent discussions about Villages AED programs; pros and cons, why some choose to give and reasons some don't.

However, on a Village FB post today this "chart of guilt" was posted for the neighborhood to gossip about. WOW. Unbelievable that specific streets and percentages are posted. It's not (or shouldn't be) everyone's business. Way to go - very unprofessional and great for neighborhood comraderie.

They posted the facts. Some simply choose to see them as such. Others choose to put a negative twist on it. Some choose to think without judgement that people have there reasons for donating or not. And some use it as an incentive to donate. And I’m sure there are other interpretations that don’t involve a shaming mindset.

[Sandy and Ed]

I don’t think that “standing on principle” would be a valid excuse for not laying out the mere price of dinner on an annual basis to fund AED for a neighborhood. I’m sure nobody will be checking a donor list come time to pull out the AED in an emergency. If someone has a legitimate economic reason not to contribute their share then obviously a token donation would suffice. This is a self serving cause that it does not pay to be cheap supporting

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by kendi

They posted the facts. Some simply choose to see them as such. Others choose to put a negative twist on it. Some choose to think without judgement that people have there reasons for donating or not. And some use it as an incentive to donate. And I’m sure there are other interpretations that don’t involve a shaming mindset.

Have they asked for permission from the people involved “to post the facts”? If they have and the majority agreed, I’m for it. Otherwise, I see it as invasion of privacy. It is not that I haven’t paid for AEDs myself or that I don’t support the efforts of people who volunteer, I fully appreciate that. What I don’t like is the lack of sensitivity about trying to raise funds. It is natural to turn on someone who is trying to push you.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

In that case, the info is public, so I can see that happening...

I've not heard of any neighborhood publishing a list of names for the AED programs...

Our neighborhood has a yearly dance to support the program.

We've not been in TV when they have the dance. But at an earlier monthly event, they were selling tickets to the dance. At check in for the event, I was asked if I wanted to buy tickets. I asked "How much?" I think it was $20 per person. I gave them a $50. They were about to give me change and I told them we wouldn't be there, to just use the money for the program.

They were a bit surprised, but thanked me and told me they hoped we could make the next one...

I think it's an important program. I hope I never need it, but I do plan to become a volunteer when I become a Frog, as I've been certified on both CPR and AED forever...

You….are a CLASS act!! Good for you and your attitude. We should be neighbors helping neighbors and the AED program is a perfect example of this in action.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Our village sent out an email suggesting what dollar amount was being requested per residence . There was a drop off box where a check could be placed. All was private. No one knew what percent actually participated or for that matter a need to know. We have the program and maintenance funds are solicited the same way.

Personally I think going door to door asking is intimidating.

Nothing wrong with that. Shame on those that don’t want to contribute anything, however

[Donnahamilton999]

Sometimes people just need a gentle reminder we are all busy. I did get a reminder and I paid it right away. I just got busy maybe a second letter needs to be sent out.

[Pennyt]

I was a volunteer in our neighborhood's initial AED program. Here's how it works, as I remember: there are a group of people who volunteer for the program. They are given CPR and AED training and a box is installed in a central location in the neighborhood. When a resident calls 911, an automatic call goes out to the resident group of volunteers. One person is assigned to go to the AED box while the others go directly to the patient and check to see if CPR is needed. If so, they begin the process. There is not just one person who is called to respond, so if someone isn't available, others are there to respond. It has been shown that neighborhoods with this program have a higher survival rate for heart attacks than those without one. (If you're going to have a heart attack, it would be to your benefit to have it in The Villages. That's according to a yearlong study done by The Villages Daily Sun, in which they found that The Villages residents are four times more likely than other Americans to survive a cardiac event. This is due to a number of factors including the amount of AED's available throughout the community, the proximity of fire department to resident's homes, and more. – The Villages Daily Sun)

[GoneFishing]

When I was asked to donate I didn’t hesitate for one minute. My thoughts were if it saves one life then it is money well spent. In our group no pressure was put on anyone. I’m very happy that we have those that want to participate in this program. I also understand that not everyone can afford to participate. I’ve not seen or heard of ill will towards those folks.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Sandy and Ed

Nothing wrong with that. Shame on those that don’t want to contribute anything, however

Shame? Assumption, it was not known who or how much was contributed.

[Maker]

Originally Posted by rustyp

In a community with a 6 minute response time by full time paramedics a neighborhood CPR training initiative would be much more beneficial than AED implementation. By the time a neighbor runs to retrieve the AED the paramedics are there. That time was better spent administering CPR.

The medical world says for having a likely survival, the accepted maximum time delay before beginning CPR is 4 minutes. Beyond that, the chances go from low, to extremely rare plus having serious long term injury.
The numbers I have seen shows it is at least 6 minutes, and usually longer.

So having a community of people trained in CPR, all heading your way to fill the gap in time before the paramedics arrive, is going to make outcomes better. No question.
Having an AED also aids in monitoring the CPR process and issues voice directions to improve technique (rate and compression). It can also administer a shock if needed.

Now the paramedics arrive. I would welcome the paramedics to concentrate on doing advanced life support - administering drugs, oxygen, assessing for other treatments they can provide... instead of doing CPR themselves. Performing CPR is very tiring. Having many to share the work is the best way.

The overall goal is to increase the odds of survival, with the lowest amount of complications possible. The AED program does that.

[Maker]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

I know of two AEDs on my block, but I consider them irrelevant. I live alone. My door is locked. I don’t know who in the neighborhood knows how to use these. They may be shopping or golfing or taking a shower when I need them. If my heart stops, I can’t even call 911. If I thought I was having a heart attack and called 911, could I get the door unlocked or would it have to be broken down? Certainly most people having a heart attack do not need defibrillating. Defibrillating someone whose heart is actually beating is not a good idea, and when you are an old person who has just run a block carrying an AED, you may not be in a position to tell if there is a pulse. It’s not always easy! And then if my heart is restarted, how long did it not beat? The majority of people whose hearts are restarted suffer some level of brain damage. Do I want that, or would I rather be dead? Success with defibrillators is often based on leaving the hospital alive or surviving thirty days, even if the person will never leave a nursing home. I’d rather die.

Locked alone in your house means you will not survive. That's the reality of that situation.
but
What if you are visiting with neighbors, or are outside doing things like trimming flowers, or chatting with people? Maybe they would be able to call 911 and start to render aid immediately. Someone can be kept alive with CPR, and viable for a full recovery, even if their heart cannot be restarted for tens of minutes. It's about keeping the oxygen moving to the brain.

You really should learn about how AEDs work. They are computers and monitor the heart. They direct a person to do CPR better. They analyze the heart and will order people to stand clear to deliver a shock ONLY when it's REQUIRED.
If a responder cannot correctly tell if there is a pulse, the AED can. AED will say "begin CPR". Plain and simple, it's the expert tool helping people do things right.

Having someone there right away improves your chance of survival without complications. Brain injury happens when too much time passes between the heart attack, and getting blood moving again. That's 4 minutes max. Waiting for an ambulance to arrive means likely your fears will happen. I'd take the nearby volunteers with an AED every time.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

I know of two AEDs on my block, but I consider them irrelevant. I live alone. My door is locked. I don’t know who in the neighborhood knows how to use these. They may be shopping or golfing or taking a shower when I need them. If my heart stops, I can’t even call 911. If I thought I was having a heart attack and called 911, could I get the door unlocked or would it have to be broken down? Certainly most people having a heart attack do not need defibrillating. Defibrillating someone whose heart is actually beating is not a good idea, and when you are an old person who has just run a block carrying an AED, you may not be in a position to tell if there is a pulse. It’s not always easy! And then if my heart is restarted, how long did it not beat? The majority of people whose hearts are restarted suffer some level of brain damage. Do I want that, or would I rather be dead? Success with defibrillators is often based on leaving the hospital alive or surviving thirty days, even if the person will never leave a nursing home. I’d rather die.

Thoughts and prayers!

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

I know of two AEDs on my block, but I consider them irrelevant. I live alone. My door is locked. I don’t know who in the neighborhood knows how to use these. They may be shopping or golfing or taking a shower when I need them. If my heart stops, I can’t even call 911. If I thought I was having a heart attack and called 911, could I get the door unlocked or would it have to be broken down? Certainly most people having a heart attack do not need defibrillating. Defibrillating someone whose heart is actually beating is not a good idea, and when you are an old person who has just run a block carrying an AED, you may not be in a position to tell if there is a pulse. It’s not always easy! And then if my heart is restarted, how long did it not beat? The majority of people whose hearts are restarted suffer some level of brain damage. Do I want that, or would I rather be dead? Success with defibrillators is often based on leaving the hospital alive or surviving thirty days, even if the person will never leave a nursing home. I’d rather die.

I think this is true for many who live alone, and in my area it is mostly widows.

[HORNET]

Sounds like someone wants to be the head honcho!

[HORNET]

Why not let each village or area do their own thing? This chart makes me think that I don’t care to just donate to a group that wants to control everything. Watch what you wish for!