Cheryl Rickens, who serves as a representative of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, and Cranberry Township Fire Chief Scott Garing show several new AEDs, or automated external defibrillators that will be available around the township for cardiac emergencies. Submitted photo. 11/2022

CRANBERRY TWP— More people suffering cardiac emergencies can now buy crucial time until emergency help arrives.

Townsip supervisors have approved the placement of 25 new automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in strategic locations around the township, including parks, golf courses government buildings, concession stands and police cars.

When a cardiac emergency strikes, anyone on the scene can use an AED to administer care until first responders arrive.

Manufacturers designed these devices for a layperson’s use. They offer clear directions, audible prompts guiding users through the process, and settings users can adjust based on age of the care recipient.

Unlike with most AEDs, users can tailor these devices’ settings specifically for children younger than eight years old.

“Prior to my employment here in Cranberry Township, I spent over 20 years working in EMS,” said Scott Garing, chief of fire and emergency services. “And AEDs are one of the key survival factors in sudden cardiac arrests. Without them and the ability to change the electronic rhythm in your heart, you almost don’t stand a chance.”

“Having standardized equipment buys us extra time when an emergency happens,” said Matt Nickl, who serves as emergency medical services or EMS director for the township.

Visitors to Cranberry’s parks can access these devices from lit, heated cabinets in which they will be stored 24/7.

“Sudden cardiac arrest can happen from a variety of different things that could lead you down that road of your heart going into a rhythm that is not life-sustaining,” said Garing. “It’s not pumping enough blood, it’s quivering, it’s out of sync and not pumping in the correct manner.”

An AED or automated external defibrillator device hangs ready for use for cardiac emergencies on a wall. Cranberry Township and partners have installed 25 of these AEDs in strategic locations around the township. Submitted photo. 11/2022

“So these devices essentially interrupt and reset the electronic paths in your heart that cause it to beat the correct way,” he said.

Anyone interested in learning to use an AED can find a tutorial at youtube.com/cranberrytownship.

Locations for the new AEDs will include:

• The pickleball courts, football fields, baseball fields, Miracle League Field and soccer fields at Passavant Graham Park.

• The baseball fields and kids’ castle restrooms at the community park

• Cranberry Highlands Golf Course at the Clubhouse and Turfgrass Center

• The restrooms and water park first aid room at North Boundary Park

• Council chambers and staff lunchroom at the municipal center building.

• The public works building

• The public safety training facility

• The Brush Creek Treatment Plant

In addition to the device itself, each AED kit includes scissors, a razor for removing chest hair, gloves, a towel and a pocket mask for CPR.

Fire Chief Scott Garing of Cranberry opens an AED, or automated external defibrillator, to demonstrate its use for cardiac emergencies. Submitted photo 11/2022

Cranberry Township Community Chest, the Passavant Hospital Foundation and Cranberry Township’s Capital Improvement plan all helped out with the AED’s purchase.

“Thank you to the community partners that stepped up,” said Garing. “It’s definitely more safer now that we know that we have all these devices available 24/7, and they can save someone’s life. It only takes one life being touched by this to make the entire process or project worth it.”