Now, millions of students across the country participate in physical activities in schools – a game of football or basketball, football and cheer-leading practice class or gym. What if one of them had life-threatening cardiac emergency?

Sudden cardiac arrest affects more than 340,000 Americans each year, including children and young people, usually without warning. Heart conditions tend to go unnoticed and often occur during physical activity. In the case of a cardiac arrest, a rapid response and early use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) are essential to improve the chances of survival.

According to the American Heart Association, early use of AEDs – devices that analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm, could increase the chances of survival of 20 percent or more.

“Nearly 95 percent of cardiac arrest victims die – usually because defibrillation is too late,” said Dr Vincent Mosesso Jr. of the National Center for Early Defibrillation at the University of Pittsburgh. “Every minute that passes before returning the heart to a normal rhythm decreases the chances of survival of 10 percent. Patients who receive CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] and a defibrillator shock within three minutes of going into cardiac arrest have the best chance of survival. ”

Unfortunately, many schools are not equipped with an AED.

Therefore, Duracell and Zoll Medical Corp. have teamed up to help inform parents and educators about the importance of being prepared for these situations.

“Through this campaign, we want to work with communities throughout the country to provide their schools with the tools necessary to help save lives,” said Kara Salzillo responsible brand communication Duracell.