We are thrilled to share that Nest Community Shelter was awarded two Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) through a generous grant from the Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL) this morning. These critical life-saving devices will now be available at both our Michigan City and City of La Porte locations.
An AED is a portable electronic device that can help save someone’s life during a cardiac emergency. When an individual’s heart suddenly stops beating normally or goes into a dangerous irregular rhythm, the AED can deliver an electric shock to try to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.
Nest staff learns how to use the AED from the HFL.
The device is designed for use by the general public, not just medical professionals. It features voice prompts that guide you step-by-step, and it automatically analyzes the person’s heart rhythm to determine if a shock is necessary. You’ll find AEDs in many public places like schools, gyms, and office buildings across our community because they can mean the difference between life and death when someone has a sudden cardiac arrest.
Each year, HFL provides grants for Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to organizations across La Porte County. Their ongoing support ensures that more individuals and organizations have access to these essential devices, while also promoting a structured and sustainable program for AED maintenance and training.
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with over 356,000 incidents occurring outside of hospitals each year. With this grant, Nest Community Shelter is better equipped to respond to such emergencies, offering our guests and staff a greater sense of security.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Health Foundation of La Porte for their continued commitment to community health and safety. Their support empowers organizations like ours to create safer spaces and potentially save lives when every second counts.
