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February is American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular disease and the importance of saving lives during cardiac emergencies.Firefighters across Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington counties are encouraging residents to download a free app they say could make a life-or-death difference. The PulsePoint app alerts nearby users when someone is experiencing cardiac arrest, giving civilians the opportunity to help before first responders arrive.When a cardiac arrest happens nearby, users hear an emergency alert on their phone. Fire officials say every minute a person’s heart is not beating reduces their chance of survival by about 10 percent. In many larger cities, emergency medical services may take four to six minutes to arrive, meaning survival rates can already be cut nearly in half by the time help gets there.The app is designed to mobilize everyday people to act as bystander rescuers. Users do not need prior CPR training. PulsePoint provides step-by-step instructions, shows a map guiding responders to the victim’s location, and identifies the nearest automated external defibrillators.In Omaha, fewer than half of cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR. However, communities already using PulsePoint are seeing much higher response rates. In Lincoln, bystander CPR rates are above 70 percent.Tri-county fire and EMS agencies say widespread use of the app could save dozens, if not hundreds, of lives through faster and more effective bystander response.Officials say PulsePoint will launch to the public on Feb. 14. Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
February is American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular disease and the importance of saving lives during cardiac emergencies.
Firefighters across Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington counties are encouraging residents to download a free app they say could make a life-or-death difference. The PulsePoint app alerts nearby users when someone is experiencing cardiac arrest, giving civilians the opportunity to help before first responders arrive.
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When a cardiac arrest happens nearby, users hear an emergency alert on their phone. Fire officials say every minute a person’s heart is not beating reduces their chance of survival by about 10 percent. In many larger cities, emergency medical services may take four to six minutes to arrive, meaning survival rates can already be cut nearly in half by the time help gets there.
The app is designed to mobilize everyday people to act as bystander rescuers. Users do not need prior CPR training. PulsePoint provides step-by-step instructions, shows a map guiding responders to the victim’s location, and identifies the nearest automated external defibrillators.
In Omaha, fewer than half of cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR. However, communities already using PulsePoint are seeing much higher response rates. In Lincoln, bystander CPR rates are above 70 percent.
Tri-county fire and EMS agencies say widespread use of the app could save dozens, if not hundreds, of lives through faster and more effective bystander response.
Officials say PulsePoint will launch to the public on Feb. 14.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
