Acting as a Resource to Bring AEDs to Public Outdoor Spaces
Imagine you’re at a Saturday soccer game, cheering on your child. Or taking a peaceful walk through your neighborhood park. Now imagine that unexpectedly, someone near you collapses. You’re not sure what happened, but it isn’t heat stroke or a fainting spell. They’re unresponsive and maybe gasping for air. This very well could be Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)—the nation’s largest cause of natural death and a silent killer that can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Would your community be ready to save that person? Would you?
As someone who cares deeply about your neighborhood and community, you’re in a unique position to make a difference. Maybe people look up to you to help lead change. Maybe you’re more often behind the scenes, helping to get things done but staying out of the spotlight. Either way, you’re a force for good in your community and like paying it forward and helping others. In any case, you’re an inspiration for change, and as such, can make a huge difference in the fight against sudden cardiac arrest.
The solution is simple, proven, and effective: install AED (Automated External Defibrillator) cabinets with 24/7 visibility and access outdoors in your community parks, playgrounds, athletic fields and sports courts, recreation centers, and main streets. SCA strikes people wherever they are- including outdoors.
Here are 7 powerful, research-backed reasons why NOW is the time to act:
SCA Can Happen Anywhere — And Often Does Outside Hospitals
Statistic: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) claim the lives of over 356,000 people annually in the U.S. While 70% of these deaths occur in the home, the rest happen wherever else we live, work, and play – including at outdoor gathering areas like parks, sports fields, trails, and town centers.
Source: American Heart Association (AHA)
AEDs locked inside buildings won’t help if no one’s there. Outdoor access is essential.
Every Minute Without Defibrillation Reduces Survival by 7–10%
Statistic: Survival drops 10% for every minute without defibrillation.
Source: Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
As heroic as first responders are, national averages show that EMS take 8–12 minutes to arrive on the scene of an accident. That’s simply too late for most SCA victims. Outdoor AEDs help bridge this critical gap, so people (i.e., YOU) can act now.
AEDs Used Within 3–5 Minutes Save Lives
Statistic: AED use in the first 3–5 minutes can boost survival to 50–70%.
Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Outdoor AEDs make that possible. If it takes more than 3-5 minutes for the ambulance to arrive, or for you to run inside to an available AED is not going to work. The American Heart Association has long stated the importance of the ‘3-minute rule’ – getting from an SCA victim to a defibrillator and back to the victim – within 3 minutes. When this happens, survival rates can jump to 50-70% or more. SCA emergencies require immediate action by lay responders to save more lives.
Young Athletes Are at Elevated Risk
Statistic: SCA is the #1 cause of natural death on school campuses and among young athletes.
Source: Cleveland Clinic / Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Having AEDs outside on campus and on all athletic fields and courts can save a child’s life. Waiting for the paramedics to arrive is not an emergency preparedness plan and is never the solution.
Bystander AED Use Is Shockingly Rare
Statistic: AEDs are used by bystanders in fewer than 6% of OHCAs.
Source: AHA 2023 Statistics
Why? Indoor AEDs are often ‘invisible’ (poor signage and awareness), or worse, locked away after hours. Outdoor AEDs inside highly visible, all-weather, smart, monitored cabinets change that. Even though SCA / AED awareness has increased among the general public, and more AEDs have been deployed, survival rates have unfortunately remained abysmal at less than 10%. AEDs can’t help save lives if they’re not immediately visible, accessible, and in close proximity to potential victims and lay responders.
Cardiac Arrest Strikes Without Warning
Statistic: More than 50% of victims have no prior symptoms or known heart disease.
Source: Mayo Clinic Proceedings
That means it could be anyone, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, or even health profile. While we can’t have an AED everywhere, we can certainly make them available in the outdoor places that we already know, such as schools and community gathering areas.
Public AED Programs Work
Statistic: Communities with AED programs see up to a 66% increase in survival when AEDs are accessible and supported.
Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes (AHA Journal)
Outdoor cabinets enable visibility and accessibility on a 24/7 basis. At SaveHeart by HeartNation, our cabinets are highly visible, lighted, heated, and monitored around the clock 24/7. We can help you, so you can help your community, to save more lives in your hometown.
Ready to Make a Life-Saving Difference?
Placing lifesaving AEDs outside is the new frontier. This isn’t about devices or cabinets—it’s about protecting our families and friends, neighbors, and visitors. Old and young, male or female, black or white. You can help lead the charge. Talk to your local council, parks department, athletic director, or community association. Share the facts. Share this post. Give us a call. Because when someone collapses, there isn’t time to wait. If an AED is visible only steps away, there’s a great chance that they get to live another day.
🧠 Let’s protect life in our communities together by acting now to build awareness and preparedness, and installing lifesaving AEDs outdoors.
📞 Get a Free Community Consultation
Want help bringing Outdoor AEDs to your community? SaveHeart by Heart Nation has helped hundreds of communities around the country, and we’d love to help you, too. We talk with people like you every day- answering questions, sharing best practices, and serving as a value-added resource. Let’s start a discussion.
Visit us at www.saveheart.life or send an email to [email protected]