ZOLL Loans Defibrillators for American Red Cross First-Aid Stations
CHELMSFORD, MASS.—ZOLL Medical Corporation (NASDAQ: ZOLL), a manufacturer of resuscitation devices and related software solutions, is pleased to announce that, for a second year, it will loan automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the American Red Cross for its first-aid stations during the 110th Boston Marathon taking place on April 17th. The ZOLL AED Plus™ units, with Real CPR Help™ technology, will help Red Cross volunteers be prepared for any sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) emergency. Thirty units will be placed in stations along the 26-mile route, and another two devices will be located at the finish line on Boylston Street.
“If a runner needs emergency medical care during the race, our goal is to respond in less than four minutes,” said Chris Troyanos, ATC, Medical Coordinator for the 110th Boston Marathon. “We are one of the oldest marathons in the country with one of the most progressive medical programs. This is due to the support of organizations such as ZOLL and the American Red Cross, which allow us to be better prepared when responding to medical emergencies on the course. We are thankful for their efforts and assistance.”
“Sudden cardiac arrest can occur during or just after physical exertion,” said Josh Baker, Director for Health and Safety for the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay. “And once a person is in cardiac arrest, for every minute that passes, the chance of survival decreases by 10 percent. After 10 minutes, survival is unlikely. That is why early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are so important—they can help save thousands of lives each year. The ZOLL AED Plus is an AED that is equipped to assist all victims of SCA, whether they require CPR, a defibrillating shock, or both.”
SCA is an abrupt disruption of the heart’s function causing lack of blood flow to vital organs, which results in the loss of blood pressure, pulse, and consciousness. In nearly half of all victims, SCA is caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF). VF occurs when the nerves in the heart malfunction, causing the left ventricle (the heart’s main pumping chamber) to quiver or “fibrillate.” Stricken with this chaotic rhythm, the heart cannot effectively pump oxygenated blood to the brain and other vital organs throughout the body.
About half of all victims who suddenly collapse initially require defibrillation. For other victims, however, who may have non-shockable heart rhythms, the critical action for survival is effective CPR. AEDs enable first responders to provide lifesaving therapy in the critical minutes before the ambulance arrives.
About the ZOLL AED Plus
The AED Plus, manufactured by ZOLL Medical Corporation of Chelmsford, Mass., is the only AED that allows rescuers to see and hear how well they are performing the rate and depth of chest compressions during CPR. This real-time feedback mechanism, known as Real CPR Help™, makes the ZOLL AED Plus the only AED that can help assess and treat nearly every SCA victim, making it the only Full-Rescue AED available today. ZOLL’s AED Plus is also the only AED with a one-piece electrode pad for easier positioning on the victim’s body (versus the traditional two pads, which can be challenging to place properly). The AED Plus runs on consumer batteries that are easy to replace and last at least five years in stand-by mode. The ZOLL AED Plus requires minimal training to operate. The ability to analyze the heart’s electrical function is programmed into the AED Plus, and voice and text prompts guide rescuers through the appropriate CPR and defibrillation steps, as necessary.
About ZOLL Medical Corporation
ZOLL Medical Corporation is committed to developing technologies that help advance the practice of resuscitation. With products for pacing, defibrillation, circulation, ventilation, and fluid resuscitation, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS professionals, and lay rescuers resuscitate sudden cardiac arrest or trauma victims. ZOLL also designs and markets software that automates the documentation and management of both clinical and non-clinical information.
ZOLL markets and sells its products in more than 140 countries. The Company has direct operations, distributor networks, and business partners throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. For more information, visit www.zoll.com or call +1 (978) 421-9655.
Certain statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, ZOLL’s ability to compete; acceptance of its AEDs and other resuscitation products; changes in regulations affecting the healthcare industry; general economic conditions; and those other factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in ZOLL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which was filed with the SEC on February 10, 2006.
© 2006 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. 269 Mill Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824-4105. AED Plus and Real CPR Help are trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation. All product names are the property of their respective owners.
INVESTOR CONTACT:
A. Ernest Whiton
Chief Financial Officer
ZOLL Medical Corporation
(978) 421-9655 PRESS CONTACT:
Robert Minicucci
Corporate Communications Manager
ZOLL Medical Corporation
+1 (978) 421-9832
rminicucci@zoll.com