Heartsafe Community Initiative

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Every 2 minutes, an adult collapses from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) without warning. SCA can happen anywhere, at anytime, to anyone, and it is almost always fatal.

Heart Safe City

Maplewood has partnered with Ramsey County EMS providers on Pulse Point, a mobile app that connects people going through a cardiac crisis with a member of the public trained in emergency cardiac care.   Learn more and sign up at  pulsepoint.org

Hands-Only CPR

Hands-Only CPR is a simplified method of CPR that requires no mouth-to-mouth breathing. It is a two-step technique that involves calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the victim's chest until help arrives.

To get involved, sign up and attend an upcoming training session, or learn at home by checking out a take home Hands Only CPR training kit.

For more information, send an email.

Emergency Services Chain

Through the Heart Safe Community program, communities can strengthen what the American Heart Association calls the "chain of survival."

STEP 1: Early Access to Emergency Care

Bystanders recognize the symptoms of cardiac arrest and call 911 immediately. EMS dispatchers are equipped with instructions for the caller and can get an Advanced Life Support response vehicle to the scene quickly.

STEP 2: Early CPR

CPR, when properly administered, buys precious minutes until a defibrillator is available. Public knowledge and awareness must be increased so that those trained in CPR will actually use it when necessary.

STEP 3: Early Defibrillation

Defibrillation is the delivery of electric shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm. Early Defibrillation is considered to be the most critical link in the chain of survival. New AEDs are light-weight, sturdy, and easy to use by anyone who has been trained.

STEP 4: Early Advanced Care

Advanced care is delivered by an Advanced Life Support response vehicle staffed by advanced care providers. Medications and oxygen therapy delivered can be critical to the survival of cardiac arrest victims.

STEP 5: Post-Cardiac Arrest Care

Integrated, multidisciplinary care for patients following cardiac arrest both in the hospital and following discharge.