Mayo Regional Hospital offers community defibrillator service

DOVER-FOXCROFT — As part of its commitment to making the Maine Highlands one of the safest and most heart-healthy regions in the state, Mayo Regional Hospital offers Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) for public use in regional events. Mayo has provided this service to local businesses and workplaces over the past seven years and the hospital now offers AEDs to the community for special events. AED units are used to save victims of sudden cardiac arrest.

Mayo keeps at least one unit at each of the three EMS bases in Dexter, Corinth and Dover-Foxcroft. Community members planning a special event (a reception, party, parade or a large barbeque or clambake) can make arrangements with the staff at their nearest EMS base to reserve and sign out a defibrillator for use at the event if needed. The device must be returned after the event so that it can be made available to the next function.

An AED is an essential part of treatment for people who suffer a cardiac arrest. When combined with good CPR the use of an AED before paramedics can get to the scene can help restore life to a victim of sudden death.