The Restart a Heart Program
With more than 700 cardiac arrests estimated to occur in New Brunswick each year, Heart & Stroke NB is committed to making AEDs accessible in as many places as possible. The Restart a Heart Program was launched in 2008, with an objective to secure funding that enables the Foundation and its partners to distribute Automated External Defibrillators throughout New Brunswick.
Experts recommend that AEDs be available in locations where large groups of people gather, or where EMS may take longer to reach.
To date, we have placed 530 AEDs throughout the province, some of which have saved the lives of 21 New Brunswickers.
AED’s are effective, safe and user-friendly devices that have been specifically designed for anyone to use. In a situation where every second counts, Heart & Stroke NB continues to advocate for making AEDs widely accessible in as many public spaces as possible.
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is an easy-to-use, portable device that can restart the heart of a person who is in cardiac arrest.
What is an AED?
The Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program is operated by Medavie Health Services New Brunswick. It allows emergency dispatchers in New Brunswick to direct 911 callers to the closest AED, to help those experiencing cardiac arrest.
When a cardiac arrest happens, and a defibrillator registered in the program is deployed, the information that is stored, (initial rhythm, cpr done, shocks given) is downloaded and sent to the receiving hospital, as part of the patient chart. This gives the physician valuable information regarding the incident.
More information on the PAD program and how to register, can be found by clicking below.
Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program
Automated External Defibrillators
Our Commitment to Help More New Brunswickers
It's estimated that over 700 cardiac arrests happen in New Brunswick each year. It can happen to anyone, at any time, and occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. Survival rates drop significantly without an AED or Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). When AEDs are used in combination with CPR within the first few minutes, the chances of survival can jump to 75 per cent. Quick access to an AED in the event of a cardiac arrest is critical to saving lives.
Since 2008, Heart & Stroke NB has placed 537 AEDs in communities throughout the province, which have been used to save the lives of 21 New Brunswickers. We continue to work hard to make AEDs widely accessible in as many places as possible.
