When you go into cardiac arrest it is almost assuredly your
day to die. Survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have historically
been dismal, less than 4% in most communities. Over the past decade there has
been a measurable improvement with select North American cities now reporting
survival rates in excess of 15% and even as high 20%. Improved survival rates can
only be achieved by implementing programs that decrease the time from patient
collapse to the first shock with a defibrillator.
Studies have reported survival rates for defined locations
(airports, casinos, schools) as high as 75% when the first shock is delivered
within 3 minutes of patient collapse and 50% at the 6 minute mark. Survival is
possible up to the 12 minute mark but very unlikely beyond that time. Recognizing
this reality the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care in the Province of
Ontario now requires all Ambulance Services to submit a response time plan that
includes a percentile target for responding to Sudden Cardiac Arrest in 6
minutes. Below is a list of the targets submitted by the three largest cottage
country Ambulance Services.
The New (2012) Ontario
Ambulance Response Time Standard
- Muskoka - The target is 8 minutes 75% of the time
- Actual 2011 response
times for SCA - 6 minutes 25% of the time
- Haliburton - The target is 6 minutes 33% of the time
- Kawartha - The target is 6 minutes 45% of the time
Note: These times
do not include the time from patient collapse to EMS notification and time from
EMS arrival on scene to the delivery of the first shock.
The fact is most cottages will not experience 6 minute
response times. This is not an indictment of local EMS, it is simply a reality,
an intentional reality – we love our cottages because they are remote.
If you do not have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
at your cottage anyone that goes into cardiac arrest on your property will in
all likelihood die. The gift of life, an AED plus appropriate training
including CPR, for friends and family, can be acquired for less than $2,000 all
in. The training also includes a discussion on recognizing and managing Heart
Attack and Stroke , two additional time sensitive cardiovascular
emergencies which typically have poor outcomes when they occur at the cottage.
Think of all the ways you could spend two grand on your
cottage and what the benefits of that purchase will be. To learn more about
protecting the lives of family and friends at your cottage please contact me.
Leading Cause
Prevention Strategies
Blake Hurst
29 Mericourt Rd.
Hamilton ON
L8S 2N5
905 527-0462
905 978-1023 cell