SADS Foundation Advocates for Increased AED Placement in Communities

In light of the recent tragic deaths of 17-year-old Wes Leonard in Michigan and 16-year-old Matthew Hammerdorfer in Colorado, the SADS (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes) Foundation strongly recommends that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) be present at sporting events, community centers and public facilities. “These untimely deaths would likely have been prevented had an AED been on-site and someone had located and used it quickly,” said Dr. Susan Etheridge, SADS Foundation Board Vice President. A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows that bystander use of an AED before EMS arrival increases the odds of survival by 80%. Alice Lara, SADS Foundation President & CEO, said, “Every day we work with families who have lost a child due to sudden death. In many of those cases, quick access to and use of an AED and/or CPR would have saved their lives.” The SADS Foundation also renews its call to require that all high school students be trained on AED usage and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as a requirement for high school graduation. The SADS Foundation has led the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition (a group of more than 43 organizations that work with issues involving sudden cardiac arrest) in this life-saving movement. Sudden arrhythmia death syndromes are genetic heart conditions that can cause sudden death in young, apparently healthy people. These conditions can be treated and deaths can be prevented. Sudden arrhythmia death syndromes cause nearly 4,000 deaths of children and young people every year in the United States. - Family history of unexpected, unexplained sudden death in a young person - Fainting (syncope) or seizure during exercise, excitement or startle - Consistent or unusual chest pain and/or shortness of breath during exercise About the SADS Foundation Formed in 1992, the SADS Foundation’s mission is to save the lives and support the families of children & young adults who are genetically predisposed to sudden death due to heart rhythm abnormalities. We are committed to promoting the early detection and treatment of these conditions throughout the world. The Foundation distributes materials in every state through grass roots efforts in order to teach families, educators and medical professionals about SADS conditions.