Beginning today, Hardin Memorial Health (HMH), Hardin County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Hardin County 911 are making a new life-saving smartphone app available in the market place. The app, called PulsePoint, is integrated in the county's 911 system and alerts CPR-trained bystanders in the immediate vicinity of a cardiac emergency, so they can get to the scene and start CPR in the critical minutes before EMS teams arrive.

The three partners came together today at the Hardin County Government Building to announce the availability of the app. Hardin County is the second community in the state to make this app available - Erlanger, Kentucky was the first.

"We are thrilled to partner with Hardin County EMS and Hardin County 911 to bring this life-saving tool to Hardin County," said Sharon Wright, HMH Chief Nursing Officer.

Wright added that every day, 1,000 people experience Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), the leading cause of death in our country.

Director of Hardin County EMS John Malcomson said that number typically increases over the holidays.

"There couldn't be a better time to roll this out," Malcomson said.

The American Heart Association estimates that effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person's chance of survival, but only about one quarter of SCA victims receive bystander CPR.

"We want to change that," Malcomson said. "Minutes matter when it comes to savings lives, especially the life of someone experiencing a cardiac emergency. This app can make a difference in a life or death situation."

Malcomson shared the real-life story of Rodney Druen, who attended the announcement. Druen went into cardiac arrest at his home in Sonora. His neighbor, a volunteer firefighter, administered CPR until EMS arrived.

"I wouldn't be standing here today if it weren't for my neighbor, Brad, and the excellent care I received from Hardin County EMS and Hardin Memorial Hospital," Druen said.

Jamie Armstrong, EMS Supervisor, also encouraged more people in Hardin County to get CPR training.

"It's easy to learn. There are classes available through the American Red Cross, Hardin County Government, HMH and the Lincoln Trail District Health Department," said Armstrong. "This is a very caring community. What better way to take care of one another than to learn CPR and download this app?"

Bob Hammonds, 911 Director, who was also on hand for the event, reiterated that the community is pivotal to the success of the PulsePoint partnership.

"PulsePoint notifications are generated by the 911 dispatch," Hammonds said. "It is important that all citizens know to call 911 in the event of a cardiac episode - no matter how seemingly small it is. Hesitating to call 911 could prevent life-saving CPR to be administered by a trained bystander."

The PulsePoint app also alerts bystanders to any nearby public access automated external defibrillators (AED) which is yet another tool proven critical to surviving a cardiac emergency.

PulsePoint leaders gave the Hardin County partners high praise.

"We are inspired by the strong collaboration between Hardin County EMS, Hardin County 911 and Hardin Memorial Health to bring the PulsePoint app to their community," said Richard Price, President of the PulsePoint Foundation. "PulsePoint will amplify the excellent work already accomplished around CPR training and public AED placement in the community. The leadership to drive early adoption of PulsePoint in Kentucky is exemplary."

To get the PulsePoint app, go to http://www.pulsepoint.org/download or simply search for PulsePoint in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.