Portable AED Funded by Foundation

Greg Beier, an Athletic Trainer at Sauk Prairie Healthcare, understands the importance of having an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) available at all times. While working with students at Sauk Prairie High School, he saw a need to have an AED that he could take with him to off-campus team events.

“The American Heart Association recommends that an AED be placed such that a bystander can get to it within 100 meters of a cardiac arrest,” said Greg. “The survival rate of a patient defibrillated within the first three minutes of a cardiac arrest approaches 95%. Each year, approximately 1,700 lives are saved in the U.S. from bystander use of defibrillators before an ambulance has arrived.”

Greg frequently travels with the school’s team for “away” events. These include outdoor football, lacrosse, baseball, softball, track and field, soccer, gymnastics, and hockey games.

“Some of these events are held at locations where there either is no AED or the presence of an AED is unknown,” said Greg.

Greg requested just over $1,400 from the Sauk Prairie Healthcare Foundation to purchase a mobile AED and carrying case that could be taken offsite.

The Foundation’s Grants and Gifts Committee approved the request, and the new AED is now in use.

In a note of thanks to the Foundation, Greg said he was grateful for having the equipment to potentially save the life of an athlete or spectator in need. “I am thankful beyond words. The unit is portable, light, and is very user friendly. I am eternally grateful to have this piece of equipment that I hope to never have to use.”

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