The First Nations Health Authority's (FNHA) Here Another Day (HAD) CPR + Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program aims to enhance emergency response capacity in First Nations communities across BC by providing AED kits—portable devices used to restart the heart during sudden cardiac arrest—and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in BC and disproportionally affects First Nations people. Providing First Nations communities with access to AEDs and training in CPR can drastically increase the survival chances of someone experiencing Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), especially in remote communities where emergency medical services may be several hours away.
How AEDs work and why they matter
An AED is a portable, easy-to-use device that treats SCA. SCA occurs when someone's heart stops pumping blood to the rest of the body. The AED sends a shock through the person's chest to help restore a normal heartbeat—an AED will not shock someone who is not in SCA. When used in combination with CPR, an AED can significantly improve a person's chances of survival.
Thousands of out-of-hospital SCAs occur in BC each year, and it takes less than five minutes for brain damage to occur once SCA happens. Access to AEDs has been limited in many First Nations communities, leaving residents vulnerable during cardiac emergencies. When an AED is used alongside CPR during SCA, the overall chance of survival doubles.
What's included in an AED kit?
Each kit contains:
- Stryker CR2 AED (Wi-Fi and cellular enabled)
- AED wall-mounted box (both heated and non-heated are available)
- Pocket mask with hard case
- Safety kit (razor, wet and dry towels, gauze and carabiner attachment)
- AED wall sign
Applying for an AED kit
Any First Nations community in BC can apply for a kit. Applications will be evaluated based on the following factors if applications exceed the current number of kits available:
- Assessment of equity considerations and program viability
- Number of AEDs already in the community
- Community-based first responder programs and emergency medical response health care access
Please click here for the FNHA HAD CPR + AED Program online application form. Alternatively, you can fill out the PDF application on your computer or by hand and email it to AED@fnha.ca.
If you are aware of a community that may have difficulty applying for this program, we encourage you to offer to apply on their behalf. If you need support with your application, you can reach out to AED@fnha.ca.
Please note: Even if your community is not accepted right away, your application will remain in the queue for future consideration if additional funding is available.
AED and first aid training and education
It's important that communities involved in the HAD CPR + AED Program provide training on AED usage and encourage further first aid education. To support this, FNHA has partnered with organizations that offer training on emergency medical response, including proper AED usage. Training and education opportunities will be available to all applicants, and include:
- CardiacCrash, a condensed course teaching CPR and AED skills, including the option for community members to become course facilitators;
- St John Ambulance first aid training;
- BC Emergency Health Services Emergency Medical Responder training (base level paramedic training);
- The option to develop a first responder program within the community; and
- Support hosting an AED awareness day to educate community members on AEDs and their importance.
The aim of these training opportunities is to develop capacity for emergency medical response within community, and to identify community members willing to support these programs. More information will be made available to communities once applications are received, including information on training costs. You can also reach out to AED@fnha.ca if you have questions or would like to learn more.
Ongoing support and maintenance of AEDs
While communities will have ownership of the AEDs, FNHA will provide the first round of battery and pad replacements for the AED, which are due in year four. Beyond this, the community will be responsible for replacing batteries and pads unless future funding becomes available. In the case that an AED gets used and an ambulance is called, BC Emergency Health Services will provide replacement pads on site.
HAD CPR + AED Program partners
FNHA is working in partnership with other health organizations who are generously contributing funding, supplies and knowledge to support the HAD CPR + AED Program:
- Heart and Stroke Foundation
- BC Emergency Health Services
- BC Ministry of Health
- St John Ambulance
- Dr. Jim Christenson, BC RESURECT
- Stryker Canada
- Iridia Medical
Resources
Contact us
For questions related to the HAD CPR + AED Program, contact AED@fnha.ca
