Boy Scouts' Camps, Offices Getting AEDs
Cardiac Science of Bothell, Wash., announced today that it has joined with the Boy Scouts of America to make automated external defibrillators available to BSA camping and recreation facilities and council offices nationwide. But the company's announcement said the alliance means more than that: Scout units will be urged to coordinate service projects to distribute AEDs in their communities. BSA has more than 300 councils and serves some 4.7 million young people, the company said.
"This alliance helps us achieve our goal of having 100 percent of our local councils' camps and offices equipped with AEDs," said Richard Bourlon, Health and Safety team leader for BSA of Irving, Texas. "The availability of AEDs and active promotion of CPR and AED education can help every Scout, Scouter, and family member be prepared to assist a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. As our AED program supporter, Cardiac Science will help us meet this goal."
"But this program is not just for camps and offices," said George Allen, MD, BG (USAR) Ret., chairman of the BSA Health and Safety Support Committee. "Individual Scouting units can take advantage of it as well, and we are encouraging units to coordinate service projects to place AEDs at their chartered organizations and schools and throughout their communities."
John Hinson, Cardiac Science's president and chief executive officer, said few youth organizations "have the size and reach of the Boy Scouts of America and are as closely aligned with the practical ideals of safety and emergency preparedness. This is a unique opportunity to promote awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and the importance of community-based AEDs."