Episode 2

full
Published on:

21st Nov 2024

Unsung Community Heroes: An interview with Kevin Knussman

In this episode of SaveHeart Stories, host Dave Fritzsche, founder of SaveHeart by Heart Nation, speaks with Kevin Knussman, a veteran in emergency medical services and founder of Advocates for Early Defibrillation.

They discuss the critical issue of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the importance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and the collaborative efforts in Talbot County, Maryland, to improve community response to cardiac emergencies.

Kevin shares his journey in pioneering advanced life support programs, the role of community partnerships, and innovative initiatives in Florida's Villages aimed at increasing AED accessibility and public awareness. The conversation emphasizes the need for education, advocacy, and the importance of timely CPR and defibrillation in saving lives.

Takeaways

-Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the US.

-AEDs can significantly increase survival rates if used within the first five minutes.

-Community collaboration is essential for effective emergency response.

-Education and advocacy are key to increasing AED accessibility.

-Innovative programs can enhance community response to cardiac emergencies.

-CPR is critical in buying time for AED intervention.

-Public awareness of AED locations can save lives.

-The chemistry of the body deteriorates rapidly during cardiac arrest.

-Engaging local organizations can strengthen emergency medical services.

-Advocates for Early Defibrillation aims to improve access to life-saving technology.

Chapters

00:19 Introduction to Sudden Cardiac Arrest

03:22 Kevin Knussman's Journey in Emergency Medical Services

06:13 Pioneering Advanced Life Support in Talbot County

09:23 Community Collaboration and Resource Sharing

12:02 The Role of AEDs in Saving Lives

18:34 Advocacy and Education for Early Defibrillation

22:25 Addressing Gaps in CPR and AED Accessibility

27:34 Conclusion and Call to Action



Helpful Links:

SaveHeart by Heart Nation: https://www.saveheart.life/

Advocates for Early Defibrillation: https://www.facebook.com/Advocates.4.AEDs

Talbot County Paramedic Foundation: https://www.site.talbotparamedic.org/




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About the Podcast

SaveHeart Stories
Real-life stories of sudden cardiac arrest and the need to place AEDs everywhere people gather- indoors and outside. Because one life lost is too many, these stories matter.
Real Life stories of lives saved, lost, and changed saved due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)- the largest cause of natural death in the United States. The SaveHeart Stories podcast sheds light on how to drastically improve SCA survival rates by placing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) everywhere people live, work, and play, training more people in basic CPR & AED use, and promoting youth heart screenings to uncover potential heart defects in teenagers.

Every year in the U.S., out-of-hospital SCA claims the lives of 356,000 people, including more than 23,000 teenagers. SCA strikes without warning and affects people from every walk of life, regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, or even health profile. While Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is essential to help blood flow to vital organs after an SCA event, the only real cure for SCA is an electrical shock from an AED, which the American Heart Association recommends should happen within 3 minutes. Sadly, today, less than 10% of SCA victims survive, largely because AEDs aren’t located close enough to where people are.

There is an increasing number of stories in the media about how having an AED saved a precious life, or worse, how not having an AED nearby resulted in a tragic and unnecessary death. SaveHeart Stories should inspire us to do something about it now- individually, and together- so that our stories can change from sadness to celebration- and from tragedy to triumph.

SaveHeart Stories is brought to you by your host, Dave Fritzsche, AED industry veteran and founder of SaveHeart by HeartNation. Proudly ‘Made in the USA,’ SaveHeart’s highly visible, alarmed, lighted, temperature-controlled and 24x7 monitored outdoor cabinets provide immediate visibility & access to lifesaving AEDs, Stop the Bleed Kits, Narcan, and other emergency supplies. They are ideal for parks, athletic fields & courts, trails, schools & universities, business districts, marinas, beaches, and any outdoor locations where people congregate.

To learn more about how Outdoor AEDs can keep your community safer, call 312-953-6928 or email dave@saveheart.life.

About your host

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Dave Fritzsche

Dave Fritzsche has been in the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) industry for over 25 years
This includes 2 stints at AED manufacturer Defibtech- as initial investor, VP of Sales & Marketing, VP of Business Development, and Executive Committee Member. Working with truly innovative products and an outstanding team, Dave helped take Defibtech from unknown AED start-up to a major industry player. In 2007, Defibtech was named as the fastest growing medical device company in the U.S. by Deloitte & Touche and was acquired in 2012 by Nihon Kohden Corporation. In 2016, Dave helped launch the Lifeline ARM automated CPR device.

In 2006, Dave was diagnosed with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and an abnormal EKG
Fortunately, annual check-ups have not shown an increased thickening of his heart muscle over time. Still, his diagnosis and experience is the reason behind SaveHeart’s support of several not-for-profit organizations focused on enabling greater AED access and increased SCA awareness and prevention. This includes many local organizations founded by parents who have lost a child to SCA, as well as various heart screening organizations that help detect heart defects & abnormalities in teenagers. He considers himself lucky to work with and support such incredible people & organizations who share a mission to promote greater AED access, enhanced heart screening efforts and breakthrough monitoring technology to help eliminate unnecessary SCA deaths.