Aiken County Sheriff’s Office
Fact Sheet
ACSO Employees Trained and Ready
Every on-duty shift of ACSO deputies is equipped with five automated external defibrillators (AED) to
respond to heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrests. Aiken County Emergency Medical Services
provided four hours of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED training to all ACSO deputies and
investigators.
Philips HeartStart FR2+ Automated External Defibrillator
The FR2+ offers a clean, uncluttered design for fast,
efficient operation and rapid delivery of life-saving therapy.
The FR2+ can treat patients of any age. When equipped
with special infant/child defibrillator pads that reduce the
energy of the FR2+ shock, you can safely treat a child or
infant in cardiac arrest.
The HeartStart FR2+ automatically performs daily, weekly,
and monthly self-tests of the battery, electrical components,
and subsystems. A highly visible status indicator shows at a
glance whether the FR2+ is ready for use.
Support Group, Education and Business Contribute
Mended Hearts, a support group for cardiac patients affiliated with Aiken Regional Medical Centers,
University of South Carolina – Aiken and Eejay’s Restaurant contributed more than $10,000 to purchase
five AEDs to be carried in ACSO patrol cars. Mended Hearts and USC-A earmarked proceeds from an
annual golf tournament to purchase four units. Heart attack survivor and restaurant owner, Elvin Jones,
contributed funding for a fifth AED.
Elvin Jones - A Survivor’s Story
On June 26, 2002, restaurant owner, Elvin Jones, suffered a heart attack while playing golf at Woodside
Plantation. The 64-year-old experienced shortness of breath. His golf partner, an assistant club
professional, drove Jones to a relative’s home, where he became unconscious and his heart stopped
beating. The Aiken Department of Public Safety responded to a 9-1-1 call. Officers, equipped with an
AED, shocked Jones’ dying heart several times at the home and enroute to Aiken Regional Medical
Centers.
Cardiac Chain of Survival
The Cardiac Chain of Survival is a series of four critical steps, which must be performed to aid a victim:
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Recognize an emergency and call 9-1-1
Begin CPR
Use an automated external defibrillator
Early advanced care by emergency medical technicians and paramedics
See reverse side.
Heart Attack versus Sudden Cardiac Arrest
The term "massive heart attack" is sometimes mistakenly used to describe SCA. A heart attack (or
myocardial infarction) occurs when a blockage slows or stops blood flow to some part of the heart
muscle. If the blockage is severe or if it is left untreated, that part of the heart muscle can die. Heart
attacks do not necessarily cause cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death, although those conditions
could result. Heart attack and SCA produce different symptoms in their victims. Whereas SCA causes a
person to collapse suddenly, a heart attack often provides some warning signs in advance.
Symptoms to look for in victims of SCA
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Collapse and loss of consciousness
Cessation of normal breathing
Loss of pulse and blood pressure
Symptoms of heart attack victims
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Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than
a few minutes
Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck, or arms
Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath
Atypical chest pain, stomach, or abdominal pain
Nausea or dizziness
Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
Unexplained anxiety, weakness, or fatigue
Palpitations, cold sweat, or paleness