Watch Now: Baptist Health Donates 100 Life-Saving AED Machines to Miami Beach

Sudden cardiac arrest — the abrupt loss of heart function — can happen without warning to anyone, anytime, anywhere and at any age. The American Heart Association estimates that more than 420,000 cardiac arrests take place in parks, sports fields, stores, homes and other everyday locations outside of hospitals.

And that’s why Baptist Health South Florida has just donated 100 Automated External Defibrillators (AED) machines to the Miami Beach Police Department, said George Foyo, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Baptist Health South Florida.

(The Baptist Health South Florida News Team was there. Watch now!)

An AED is a portable electronic device that analyzes life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in a patient, and is able to correct them through defibrillation.

“These are life-saving devices,” Mr. Foyo said. “Baptist Health South Florida is really committed to the well-being of our community.”

AEDs are effective in restoring regular heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest and are easy-to-operate tools with proper training. Baptist Health’s donation of these machines means Miami Beach officers could help save lives in the community at a moment’s notice.

“It’s absolutely thrilling that we can put these devices in police cars, 24 hours a day and seven days a week,” said Daniel Oates, Miami Beach Police Chief. “These will absolutely save lives.”

Caption: Baptist Health South Florida donates 100 AED machines to the Miami Beach Police Department. Pictured from left: George Foyo, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Baptist Health South Florida; Arthur Agatston, M.D., medical director for the Center for Wellness and Prevention at Baptist Health South Florida; Daniel Oates, Miami Beach Police Chief; Jack Ziffer, M.D., executive vice president and chief physician executive for Baptist Health South Florida; Virgil Fernandez, Miami Beach Fire Chief and Officer William Collado, MBPD Training Unit.