French Hospital Medical Center, is pleased to share that on Monday, June 13, at the French Cup Golf and Tennis Tournament, the gracious donors of eight automated external defibrillators were recognized for their contribution to Cal Poly Athletics.
Sudden cardiac arrest is the most common cause of death in the United States, and the cause of 75 percent of sudden deaths in young athletes.
“We have often found ourselves in situations where multiple teams are playing and practicing and an athletic trainer is not available,” said Assistant Athletic Trainer Paul Gabrielson. “With the new AEDs placed throughout the campus, our student-athletes and coaches will have the resources to help in the case of a cardiac event.”
Access to defibrillators in public locations like airports, casinos and universities has shown survival rates of 41 percent to 74 percent, if bystander CPR is provided and defibrillation occurs within three to five minutes of arrest. This success rate is leading universities to implement AEDs at athletic venues in case student-athletes or bystanders experience sudden cardiac arrest during a sporting event. After reviewing a variety studies on AEDs and public-access defibrillation programs, the Cal Poly Athletic Training Staff requested eight AEDs to implement throughout the Cal Poly campus.
After FHMC President and CEO Alan Iftiniuk learned of the need for eight of the devices, he sought support and donors were quick to respond. FHMC, KSBY, San Luis Ambulance, Central Coast Cardiothoracic Surgical Associates, and the physicians at Coastal Cardiology each donated to the cause.
“This was a request immediately worth responding to, as we saw the importance of getting these life-saving devices in place for Cal Poly and our community,” Iftiniuk said. “It’s really special to see the medical and business communities coming together to afford our local student-athletes, coaches, staff and spectators another high level of cardiac safety.”
Cal Poly’s new AEDs will be located at Mott Athletic Center, Bob Janssen Field, Baggett Stadium, Alex G. Spanos Stadium, the track, tennis courts and upper practice fields.
“Ensuring student-athlete well-being is an underlying principle for Cal Poly Athletics and a key area where we are looking to improve,” said Cal Poly Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman.
For more information about Cal Poly Athletics, visit www.gopoly.com. For more information about French Hospital Medical Center, visit www.dignityhealth.org/frenchhospital/.