When you find an AED, take its photo and upload it to the online registry.
Remember those fun summer days when you and your little friends scoured the neighborhood in search of defibrillators?
No? Well, nonetheless, this season the Emergency Medical Services division of the Marin County Health and Human Services Department (HHS) is organizing a public scavenger hunt to help community members locate Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in their neighborhood.
It’s part of a countywide push to raise awareness about the life-saving devices, which can help resuscitate individuals whose heart has suddenly stopped working, county officials said in an announcement of the scavenger hunt. The activity is a lead up to HHS’s free annual Sidewalk CPR training event in August.
“When used within the first few minutes of a cardiac emergency, an AED can dramatically increase survival rates,” HHS explained. Unfortunately, many people don’t know where defibrillators can be found in their community—the hunt is meant as a fun way to register AED locations and help community members easily locate the devices quickly.
Here’s how the scavenger hunt works:
While out on everyday activities in public locations residents should look for AED devices.
- When found, snap a photo and complete the “AED Scavenger Hunt” submission form.
- Submissions are accepted through Aug. 16.
- There is no limit to the number of entries one can submit.
- EMS staff will review the submissions and unregistered devices will be added to the network.
- Prizes are awarded to the top five individuals to find the most unregistered AED devices.
Le Baudour believes the awareness raised by the hunt will help “empower” residents. “The more people who know how to find and use an AED, the safer our community becomes,” said Le Baudour.
Residents can learn how to operate the AED devices they locate during the annual Sidewalk CPR event held throughout Marin on Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, PulsePoint materials and AED safety tips, visit marinhhs.org.
Why it Matters
- Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in Marin.
- Immediate CPR and AED use can triple survival rates.
- Aims to encourage more businesses and public venues to install clearly marked AEDs.
- Bring Marin County closer to the 4-Minute Community model by mapping these life-saving devices.
