The South Bruce Safe Communities Committee, co-led by the Grey Bruce Health Unit, has spearheaded an initiative to create a comprehensive, up-to-date list of AED (Automated External Defibrillator) locations in Grey-Bruce.
AEDs – small, portable, easy-to-use medical devices that can help restart the heart of someone who has gone into cardiac arrest – can be found in community centres, halls, churches, schools, businesses, and other public places.
A map of AED sites in Bruce County can be found on Bruce County’s website, and locations in Grey County can be found on Grey County’s website.
“Having a current picture of where AEDs are located in Grey-Bruce will allow residents to know if the space they’ll be using has one of these potentially life-saving devices available. It also reveals any gaps in AED availability in Grey-Bruce and locations where new AEDs could be placed in the future,” said GBHU Health Promoter Kaela Sales, who co-leads the South Bruce Safe Communities Committee (SBSCC) with the Saugeen Shores Police.
About 35,000 cardiac arrests occur annually in Canada, with about 80% happening outside of a hospital. About one in ten victims do not survive. Performing CPR and using an AED on a person experiencing cardiac arrest can double their chances of survival.
CPR and Defibrillation training/recertification is available through several local organizations.
The SBSCC is a multi-sectoral partnership that supports the implementation of a co-ordinated approach to addressing safety issues in Bruce County.
Organizations, groups, and businesses with AEDs can add their locations to the local AED lists by emailing PAD@grey.ca (Grey County) or info@brucecounty.on.ca (Bruce County).
