Naperville App Will Help Residents Save Lives

NAPERVILLE, IL — A new app will alert citizens skilled with CPR and defibrillators to help save a life.

The City of Naperville has announced the launch of the PulsePoint Respond smartphone app. Available for both iOS and Android devices, this app reports cardiac emergencies to registered users at the same time as the City’s Dispatch system sends out an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) team, according to a city news release. The purpose is to allow cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or automated external defibrillation (AED) to be administered more rapidly by nearby citizens and, thus, increase the chances of patient survival.

The app uses location-based technology to determine which registered and CPR/AED-certified users are within a 12-block radius of a cardiac emergency and notify them via push notifications on their smartphone.

The app also lists where all nearby publically accessible AED units for use in live-saving efforts. There are currently more than 100 AED units in Naperville registered with the system in public buildings, parks, schools, churches, businesses and museums, among other locations.

“According to the American Heart Association, for each minute that CPR or defibrillation is not given to a cardiac patient, their chances of survival decrease by seven to 10 percent,” Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis explained. “While the Fire Department has an impeccable response record, seconds can save lives. This is why we are reaching out to residents and local business owners to help us in cases of cardiac arrest."