Alabama LifeStart
Our Mission
We strive to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in the pediatric population and grow as a resource within the community facilitating emergency preparedness for all children in the state of Alabama.
 |
|
 |
 |
Housed at Children’s of Alabama, the leading tertiary care Children’s Hospital in the state the Alabama LifeStart program has grant funding to help provide schools with AED units and AED trainers.
In addition to providing physical resources, our goal is to empower schools and school districts to achieve nationally recognized Heart Safe school designation through Project Adam.
We continue to focus our efforts in ensuring that schools throughout the state have the resources and preparation to respond to the tragic but sudden and unexpected reality of cardiac arrest in the pediatric population.
In the future we look to build stronger relationships with the community and schools to advocate for CPR/ AED readiness throughout the state.
Our History
Started in 2007, Alabama LifeStart became an affiliate of Project ADAM, a national organization started in memory of a healthy athletic teen who collapsed and died from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. With the objective of bringing AEDs into Alabama public schools, the Alabama LifeStart program has grown into a project that advocates for emergency preparedness in the school setting. In 2007 the Alabama State Department of Education identified 71 public high schools and 107 public middle schools that did not have any AEDs on campus and Alabama LifeStart was created to address this need. Now every public middle, junior and senior high school in the state is now equipped with at least one AED, thanks in large part to Alabama LifeStart.
Our Team
Julie Farmer | Project Manager
Health Education and Safety Center
Alabamalifestart@childrensal.org
205-638-2729
Our Program
What is Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?
 |
|
Click to enlarge image |
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a condition where the heart unexpectedly stops beating because of a sudden and immediate loss of electrical activity within the heart.
How common is the problem?
Although this condition is rare in the pediatric population every year SCA affects approximately 2000* children and adolescents in the United States.
What causes SCA in children?
The causes of SCA in children are different than those in adults, and include conditions that affect the structural components of the heart as well as the electrical system of the heart.
Commonly these conditions are identified only after the cardiac arrest, and include diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery anomalies, arrhythmias and myocarditis among many other diseases.
What are symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
In the majority of SCA cases, no preceding symptoms were recorded and death was unexpected in affected children. However, some children and adolescents report symptoms such as fainting, chest pain and exercise associated problems which can indicate the presence of a condition associated with SCA.
The best chance of survival during a SCA is prompt recognition and a planned emergency response with CPR and AED use. If life sustaining treatment is not provided within minutes a person can die as a result of loss of blood supply to the brain and other vital organs.
What is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation also known as CPR uses chest compressions to manually pump blood to vital organs when the heart has stopped beating. It is necessary until a normal heart beat can be restored because it allows oxygen to reach the brain and the rest of the body, protecting the affected person while other treatments are provided.
What are AEDs?
An Automated electrical defibrillator, also known as an AED, is a device that can deliver an electrical shock to the heart to stop the abnormal heart rhythm and restart the normal rhythm of the heart. AEDs are designed for use by the general population as well as healthcare professionals and is used in conjunction with CPR. The timely use of AED on a person suffering from SCA can dramatically improve the chances for survival.
