Boca Raton, FL - January 30, 2019
City of Boca Raton's Fire Rescue Services will be launching a lifesaving app called PulsePoint at the First Responder Expo on February 2 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Town Center at Boca Raton. The smartphone app links to the 911 dispatch system to notify CPR-trained citizens at the same time first responders are contacted when someone is experiencing cardiac arrest in a nearby, public location. PulsePoint provides the exact location of the individual in distress as well as the nearest automatic external defibrillator (AED).
"Boca Raton has always had a great community CPR and AED program with survival of cardiac arrest rates way above the nationwide average," explained Division Chief Jason Stout. "The PulsePoint app could help increase the survival rate by notifying CPR-trained individuals who are close by during emergencies."
Once the app is downloaded to a mobile device, residents who are CPR-certified have the chance to receive "CPR needed" notifications that will alert them of time-sensitive emergencies like cardiac arrest within a quarter mile perimeter. The notification provides an address to a business or location name. Swiping the message will then display a live map showing the reported address of the cardiac arrest victim and any nearby AEDs. The map continues to update the responder's location as they move toward the victim or AED and provides them with turn-by-turn spoken directions.
Once the responder arrives to assist the victim, they are advised to position the victim with their backs flat on the floor. Once the victim is in position, the responder should start to begin hands-only CPR with straight arms and forceful downward compressions in the middle of the victim's chest. A CPR how-to button provides chest compression-only instructions as well as a metronome to assist in maintaining a proper 100 compressions per minute tempo. The app can also inform residents of emergency activities in real time, as well as send notifications for significant events such as wildland fires, flooding and utility emergencies.
"In a cardiac emergency, every second counts," explained Chief Stout. "This app provides an extra lifeline in the time between the call and our arrival on scene."
With over 2,000 registered PulsePoint responders in Palm Beach County, Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services encourages not only off-duty medical professionals and first responders to download the app, but for everyday civilians to become CPR-certified and possibly assist in saving a life in their community as well. Fire Rescue Services offers American Heart Association CPR Heartsaver/AED classes to the community and health care providers twice a month on Tuesdays at 5 pm at the Fire Rescue Headquarters located at 6500 Congress Avenue. The course is $30 for three hours. For more information on the PulsePoint app or other facilities that offer CPR classes and certifications, please visit Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services or listen to the City's podcast segment, Responding from the Heart on Boca Behind the Scenes.
Contact:
Anne Marie Van Casteren
Public Relations Specialist
vancasteren@myboca.us
561-544-8521
