Centura Health AED Grant Program

Jumpstart a Heart Program Funding & Donor Recognition

Chain of Survival

AED Stories & Understanding SCA

CPR Training & AED Education Resources

Colorado AED Vendors & Implementation Checklist

AED Grant Application & Grant Recipients

Glossary of Terms

Professional athletes, children on playgrounds.....no one is exempt from sudden cardiac arrest. According to the American Heart Association, each year 950,000 Americans die from cardiovascular disease, making it the number one cause of death in the U.S. At least 300,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) before they reach the hospital.

Approximately 74 percent of people would survive sudden cardiac arrest if bystanders call 911 and begin CPR, and if trained responders provide defibrillation within minutes. For every minute without CPR and defibrillation, the odds of survival decrease seven to 10 percent.

An AED is a portable defibrillator used to deliver an electric shock to a person suffering sudden cardiac arrest. AEDs are easy to operate and guide users with voice prompts. Awareness of AEDs is increasing and, as a result, more AEDs are being placed in malls, schools, community centers, on ski mountains and in the workplace.

Good Samaritan Law 

The Colorado Good Samaritan Law states that:

13-21-108. Persons rendering emergency assistance exempt from liability. (1) Any person licensed as a physician and surgeon under the laws of the state of Colorado, or anv other person, who in good faith renders emergency care or emergency assistance to a person not presently his patient without compensation at the place of an emergency or accident, including a health care institution as defined in section 13-64-202 (3), shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions made in good faith as a result of the rendering of such emergency care or emergency assistance during the emergency, unless the acts or omissions were grossly negligent or willful and wanton. This section shall not apply to any person who renders such emergency care or emergency assistance to a patient he is otherwise obligated to cover.

(2) Any person while acting as a volunteer member of a rescue unit, as defined in section 25-').5-103 (II), C.R.S., notwithstanding the fact that such organization may recover actual costs incurred in the rendering of emergency care or assistance without compensation at the place of an emergency or accident shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions in good faith.

(3) Any person, including a licensed physician, surgeon, or other medical personnel while acting as a volunteer member of a ski patrol or ski area rescue unit, notwithstanding the fact that such person may receive free skiing privileges or other benefits as the result of his volunteer status, who in good faith renders emergency care or assistance without other compensation at the place of an emergency or accident shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions in good faith.

What is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)? SCA is not the same as a heart attack. Heart attack victims experience chest pain or related symptoms and are usually conscious. SCA victims collapse suddenly, without warning, and become unconscious.