Between 2011 and 2015, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, through the Heart&Stroke Restart a Heart, Restart a LifeTM  program, will fund the placement of approximately 100 AEDs in communities across Nova Scotia, including the associated CPR and AED training. The program supports increased public access to automatic external defibrillators (AED), community awareness of the role of AEDs and the importance of learning cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It also helps in strengthening the “chain of survival,” giving Nova Scotia community facilities the tools to respond to a sudden cardiac arrest and improving survival rates.

AEDs across Nova ScotiaEHS paramedics demonstrate how to use an AED

Twenty-eight sites have been approved for funding to date from Yarmouth to Cape Breton and many communities in between. Check to see what communities have received AEDs. 

Apply for an AED in your community

The Heart and Stroke Foundation strongly encourages communities to apply for an AED placement in their area. The next deadline for applications is September 30, 2012.

  • Find out more about site selection criteria. The Heart&Stroke Restart a Heart, Restart a LifeTM funds the placement of AEDs in community locations throughout Nova Scotia where there is high volume traffic, and facilitates community-based CPR education and training.
  • Download an application form (PDF) to apply for an AED and associated CPR and AED training through the Heart&Stroke Restart a Heart, Restart a LifeTM program. The Restart program supports Nova Scotian communities Selection criteria.
  • Questions? Check out the frequently asked questions for more information about the program.  

Program Sponsors and Partners

The Heart&Stroke Restart a Heart, Restart a LifeTM  program is funded by corporate partners through the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Bright Red Capital Campaign. Emergency Health Services and Medavie EMS are also supporters of the Restart program in Nova Scotia and assist with training and AED demonstrations.

  • Meet our donors whose kind generosity is helping to make Nova Scotia a more cardiac safe community.

AEDs save lives

Why it is important to Nova Scotians…
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) strikes people of all ages and various degrees of fitness. Up to 85% of cardiac arrests occur at home or in public places, and it usually happens without warning. Many of these victims can be saved if citizens are prepared to quickly and phone 9-1-1, begin CPR and provide defibrillation within minutes of collapse. The goal of an organized public access to defibrillation (PAD) program is to better prepare the public to deal with SCA prior to the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). This is essential in improving the chain of survival within our community.

Get Involved…
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) make it possible for even non-medical personnel to restore heart rhythm and save a life. Funding an AED can help provide AEDs and the associated training required to use them to communities across Nova Scotia. With funds provided by generous donors, the Heart&Stroke Restart a Heart, Restart a LifeTM program will be able to reimburse approved sites for the following items:

  • An AED
  • An extra set of pads – pads need to be replaced after each use
  • Pediatric pads (reduces the amount of shock) for use on children under 8 years of age 
  • A rescue-ready kit (mask, gloves, scissors, razor)
  • An alarmed wall-mountable AED cabinet

Because it is important that the site have staff trained in CPR and AED, and the public can easily recognize an AED is located at the site, the following will also be provided:

  • Training for up to 6 staff in CPR and AED at the site
  • Window clings for the door or window to signify the site has an AED
  • Public announcement events regarding the AED installation
  • A wall plaque to identify the donors involved in the AED placement

The Heart and Stroke Foundation will also coordinate all public announcements regarding “saves” resulting from the unit being used for a victim of cardiac arrest at the site.

Some Key Stats and Facts…
Only 6.1% of Nova Scotians are trained in CPR.

  • Up to 85% of cardiac arrests occur at home or in public places
  • For every one minute delay in defibrillation, the survival rate of a cardiac arrest victim decreases by 7 to 10%. If delayed more than 12 minutes, the survival rate of adults is less than 5%.

Once a person goes into cardiac arrest, time is of the essence. They only have three to four minutes before the brain suffers permanent damage. CPR keeps the blood circulating keeping vital organs alive, but in most cases CPR alone cannot restart a heart. Defibrillation with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is required to help restore the heart’s natural rhythm.

  • Defibrillation was once the domain of health care professionals only. Now with the advances in technology, anybody, with a use of an AED, can perform this action to help save a life.