Every 20 seconds someone in the United States suffers a heart attack, yet between 90% and 95% of those who reach a hospital alive will survive, so what you do for a heart attack victim within the next few minutes can make the difference between life and death. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) diagnoses and, if necessary, shocks the heart of a person experiencing cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia. This treatment – called defibrillation – enables the heart to attempt to re-establish an effective rhythm.

Petaluma Save-A-Life is a Cruisin’ The Boulevard Community Project
that will save lives of Petaluma residents and visitors

On Sunday, November 4, Cruisin’ The Boulevard, Inc. presented 21 AEDs to the Petaluma Police Department. “We’ve been looking forward to receiving these valuable life-saving devices,” commented Police Chief Steve Hood. “Having an AED in each patrol car will enable our Department to provide an additional level of safety and security for our community.”

Purchased at a cost of $20,000, the gift of these AEDs follows on the heals of two units presented to Petaluma and Casa Grande High Schools last month as part of Cruisin’ The Boulevard’s Petaluma Save-A-Life project. “I’ve been very impressed with this organization’s commitment to our community,” said Ken Gulick, owner of Gulick’s Body Shop, a major contributor to the project. “I hope they’re never needed but knowing that multiple AEDs are always mobilized and immediately available to save a life is money well spent. I’m truly excited to have been able to help make this happen and I want to thank everyone else who contributed as well.”

The concept to utilize funds raised at Petaluma’s Salute to American Graffiti, held each May, to help make Petaluma the first AED equipped city north of San Francisco was the idea of Cruisin’ The Boulevard board member Joetta Furrer, herself a heart attack survivor and wearer of an embedded AED. “There’s absolutely no question that AEDs save lives,” commented Joetta. “I’m living proof! It won’t be long before all schools and police departments are required to have these easy-to-use devices in place. Already you see them at airports, sports stadiums and even casinos. The Monterey County Sheriffs Department has them as does the entire city of San Diego, where they have already saved at least 19 lives!”

“We were able to maximize our investment thanks to the help of San Francisco based MasterCPR , an integrated safety solution provider,” said CTB President John Furrer. “They significantly reduced their pricing and even contacted Debfibtech, the AED manufacturer, who donated one additional device, thus further reducing our per unit cost. MasterCPR will also be providing AED training to Petaluma Police Officers at no additional cost to the Department or Cruisin’ The Boulevard. At this point, it appears we have enough money remaining to purchase at least one more AED this year, which we will gift to another school, agency or organization. Ideally we would like to equip all Petaluma schools, community buildings, shopping complexes and other places where people tend to congregate. We’re also looking at purchasing some equipment for the Petaluma Fire Department with funds raised next year at Salute 2008, when we will celebrate the 35th anniversary of American Graffiti”.

“The well-being of our residents and visitors has always been a primary objective for the City of Petaluma. Having AEDs in police cars, community buildings and schools will save lives!” stated Petaluma Mayor Pamela Torliatt. “Petaluma Save-A-Life is a project that we encourage everyone to support. Please… Help Save-A-Life!”

User-friendly, computerized, and portable, AEDs have revolutionized cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They are programmed to analyze the heart rhythm, determine if a shock is necessary and if so, shock the heart back to normal. The all-important timing of the shock is fully automatic, removing the potential for operator error. Virtually anyone can use one of these devices without prior instruction by following the step-by-step voice and picture instructions. The California Good Samaritan Law protects the user from any legal repercussions or civil damages.

“I represent the Paula Lane Action Network (P.L.A.N.) in West Petaluma and we think what you are doing is FANSTASIC! Over the Holidays, arborist/wildlife biologist, Sherby Sanborn, who helped our neighborhood with documenting trees on a property in West Petaluma back in 2003, went into cardiac arrest at a Sonoma health club. When CPR didn't work on him, the club brought out their AED and resuscitated him with it.  According to the Sonoma Index Tribune news article, when the paramedics arrived, he was almost completely recovered. They were quite surprised!” Susan Kirks, Petaluma

In 2006, Cruisin’ The Boulevard purchased four AEDs. Two are for installation at Petaluma and Casa Grande High Schools; one at Petaluma City Hall and one in a Petaluma Police car. Because each minute saved by applying defibrillation increases the person's chances of survival by 10%, for 2007 Petaluma Save-A-Life is focusing on installing AEDs in all Petaluma Police cars since officers are already on patrol and often first of the scene of an emergency.

Whether you’re a business, a family or an individual, you can help Save-A-Life by becoming a Salute partner or sponsor or by making your personal gift as a "Friend of Cruisin’ The Boulevard". The life you help save may be your own, a family member, friend or fellow employee. For additional information, please call (707) 762-3394 or email savealife@americangraffiti.net.

We graciously thank USGC Petaluma Training Center instructor Mylee Williams and Chief Petty Officer Glenn Royes for their guidance and support in the development of Petaluma Save-A-Life.

CPR, AED and First Aid Training

Want to learn how? Performing Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) “buys time” until advance life support reaches a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. Knowing how to perform this skill will greatly increase the chance of survival for a victim. Taking a CPR course teaches you how to recognize when a victim is in cardiac arrest, having a heart attack, stroke or choking. Knowing how to follow the American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival will enable you to effectively perform CPR and keep blood and oxygen flowing for the victim until help arrives. You can also learn how to use an AED.

To find out more or enroll in a class, call HEALTHQUEST at (707) 766-9226 or visit www.phcd.org. HEALTHQUEST is an American Heart Association recognized training program that is provided by the Petaluma Health Care District in association with Petaluma Valley Hospital.

AED Resource Information and Other AED Projects

AED.COM
The definitive resource for Automated External Defibrillator (AED) information and technology.

AMERICAN HEART ASSOICATION
Public access to defibrillation (PAD).

AMERICAN RED CROSS
Project Lifesaver - Increasing Public Access to Defibrillation.

PARENT HEART WATCH
State-by-state network of parents dedicated to reducing disastrous effects of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in children.

PROJECT ADAM
Project ADAM helps schools start and sustain public access defibrillator (PAD) programs.

PROJECT HEARTBEAT: SALINAS VALLEY MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Monterey County has the distinction of being the first county in California with an AED in every on-duty patrol car, including police, sheriff, park rangers, and soon California Highway Patrol vehicles.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA PROJECT HEARTBEAT
Making Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) as accessible as fire extinguishers throughout our community.