RANKIN INLET - A letter received by every registered company in Rankin Inlet this month could be the first step in someone surviving a life-and-death situation.

Kevin Bussey gets ready to demonstrate how an automated external defibrillator works on mock patient Brandon Oolooyuk at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik in Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The letters are seeking donations to allow the safe and caring schools and community committee to buy a number of automated external defibrillators (AED).

The life-saving devices cost about $1,200 each.

Committee spokesperson Kevin Bussey said AEDs are found in most southern locations where people congregate, especially schools, recreational facilities and sporting venues.

He said an AED is often the only device that can save someone in cardiac distress in a public area.

"People might be surprised to know how often that happens with young people, when they receive a hard blow to their chest area from an object such as a puck, softball, volleyball or basketball," said Bussey.

"Several young people die every year at sporting events because of a lack of a defibrillator and, when someone goes into that kind of cardio distress, just a few minutes can mean life or death.

"For every minute a victim goes without access to a defibrillation, the chances of surviving their heart issue goes down by seven to 10 per cent.

"A person can lose 30 per cent of their chance to survive in just three minutes."

Bussey said most people can be taught to operate an AED in just an hour or two.

He said an AED can stabilize a person enough to get them safely to a hospital or health centre for professional treatment.

"The goal of our committee is to secure enough donations to purchase at least four of these devices for our community.

"If a local company would like to buy an AED outright, the committee would recognize it in some way for assisting the community in such a meaningful way.

"If we are able to secure a number of the AEDs, I'll gladly train the staff at the schools and arena free of charge.

"We need a minimum of four in Rankin to have one at each school and the arena, and they have to be stored somewhere easily accessible for staff members, but, at the same time, protected from vandalism."

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