Kaw Valley Public Access Defibrillator Foundation

07/11/2025

October is around the corner—and so is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training Week, taking place October 12-18. Through our Ready to Respond campaign, we’re launching a powerful push to equip more people with the knowledge and skills to act fast in a cardiac emergency.

🧠 LEARN THE FACTS
👐 GAIN THE SKILLS
❤️ SAVE A LIFE

Whether you’re looking to get trained in CPR and AED use, or want to host a training and bring lifesaving education to your community, we invite you to be part of it.

Stay tuned for events coming to your area.
If you’re interested in hosting a training, be sure to fill out our interest form to get connected and supported.

Learn more: https://www.sca-aware.org/trainingweek

06/04/2025

🫀 Knowledge is power — and in the case of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, it’s life-saving.

Every second counts when SCA strikes. The more we know, the more lives we can save. Stay informed, stay prepared.

We’re teaming up with PulsePoint Foundation to share this important fact:

Time to defibrillation is the most important determinant of survival from cardiac arrest. Early defibrillation/shock delivery within 3 - 5 minutes is the goal, and publicly accessible AEDs are the best way to achieve this.

Learn more facts about AED use at the National Emergency AED Registry (NEAR). This is a universally accessible, centralized AED registry that anyone can access, anyone can add to and connects to 9-1-1 centers so call takers know AED locations. And it’s completely free.

NEAR Registry: https://www.near-registry.org/

📚 Learn about the latest advances in SCA care
💡 Gain tips on CPR & emergency response
📊 Share key stats, facts, and resources with your community

➡️ Take action today: Learn, share, and empower others.



🔁 Tag someone who should know this!

01/10/2025

Hands-only CPR does not require rescue breaths. If someone collapses, call 911, begin hands-only CPR, and push hard and fast at a rate of 100–120 beats per minute. Have someone retrieve an AED. Learn CPR and how to use an AED today—you could save the life of someone you love.

12/27/2024

I almost died last night. but this angel saved my life!
This is Chrissy’s cousin, Catie Hermesch. She is a nurse at Olathe Medical Center. We were at her house for Christmas dinner, talking, when I suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous. Catie said my face turned gray, my eyes rolled in the back of my head and I lost consciousness. She jumped into action and felt my neck - she didn’t feel a pulse. So she, her husband, Adam, and Chrissy gently lay me on the floor and she did chest compressions while Jackson called 911. Within a minute I was breathing on my own again and a few minutes after that I was in an ambulance heading to the hospital. They don’t know the cause of this episode - I think it’s chemo-induced as this last round has been really hard on me. Regardless, thank God for Catie. She sprung into action without hesitation and saved my life! It’s a reminder of how important it is to know CPR.

12/17/2024

12/16/2024

Sudden cardiac arrest can occur unexpectedly, affecting anyone at any time and in any location. Therefore, acquiring life-saving skills is crucial. By working together, we can enhance national survival rates. 👉 For more information on how you can contribute to saving lives, please visit www.sca-aware.org today. 🌐 Let us take proactive measures and be prepared when every second matters. 💙

10/28/2024

Today, let's take a moment to honor all the amazing first responders and remember those who have bravely given their lives. If you ever see someone in cardiac arrest, remember that every second is crucial! Call 911, start CPR, and use an AED. Together, we can make a difference and save lives!

10/23/2024

An off-duty paramedic and OBGYNs successfully saved a teenager's life during a tennis tournament. Their prompt actions underscore the importance of acting swiftly in emergencies. If you witness someone collapse, please call 911. Additionally, consider learning CPR and how to use an AED.

https://bit.ly/3UlmVYv

10/14/2024

ZOLL and PULSEPOINT advocate for universally accessible AED registry
Learn more ➡️https://bit.ly/4eXGfDk

10/08/2024

One of the most important things you can do during Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month is understand the difference between SCA and a heart attack. Our favorite analogy: a heart attack is like a plumbing issue (a blockage), while SCA is similar to an electrical issue — and that's why the heart stops during SCA.

We love this helpful graphic from American College of Cardiology. Bookmark it, print it out, share it with family, friends and neighbors. The better our awareness, the more equipped we are to act!

09/27/2024

We are incredibly proud to be part of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition’s launch of the “AEDs for Youth” program, making AEDs more affordable and accessible for schools and youth sports organizations across the country. This is a crucial way to protect students and young athletes from Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

Learn more about the program and our mission: www.smartheartsports.com

https://bit.ly/47LlpVk

03/17/2024

🚨Attention, Everyone!🚨 Did you know that a heart attack is not the same as a cardiac arrest? While both can be life-threatening, they are two different medical emergencies that require different responses.