Research drives AED integration across Chapel Hill community

At the core of Chapel Hill, a significant shift in public safety is quietly taking place. Research by Dr. Jessica Zègre-Hemsey and many others has informed the integration of public access AEDs to readily accessible 24/7 locations, including the outdoors. Over the past year, Chapel Hill has strategically installed Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across its parks, ensuring that life-saving technology is available when it matters most.

The push for this initiative was sparked by two separate out-of-hospital cardiac arrests during a nighttime adult soccer league in Chapel Hill. Dr. Zègre-Hemsey’s husband, David Hemsey, witnessed one of these incidents. He and his teammates immediately performed CPR and called 911, but they were unable to access the nearest AED because it was inside a locked public building. Though the victim survived, the experience highlighted the urgent need for AEDs to be accessible 24/7, particularly in outdoor areas.

“As a nurse scientist with a program of research in emergency cardiac care, and with my husband’s background as a hospitalist and professor in the School of Medicine at UNC, we knew we had to advocate for the integration of this life-saving technology into our community,” said Dr. Zègre-Hemsey. “Readily accessible 24/7 AEDs are critical to our community and public health. Data show that knowing where AEDs are located in an emergency and having ready access to AEDs are critically important to survival for victims of cardiac arrest. This is a significant investment in our community.”

When someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest, every second counts. Without immediate intervention, the chances of survival decrease dramatically with each passing minute. AEDs are designed to intervene during these critical moments. These portable devices detect abnormal heart rhythms and can deliver a shock to restore a normal heartbeat—essentially giving the heart a much-needed reset.

But here’s the challenge: AEDs can only save lives if they’re accessible when and where they’re needed. The town has now installed AEDs in bright yellow boxes at four parks, with plans to expand to more locations soon:

• Cedar Falls Park: Outside the restrooms
• Ephesus Park: Near the tennis and pickleball courts
• Homestead Park: By the diamond fields and multipurpose artificial fields
• Southern Community Park: Next to the inline skating rink and basketball courts

These AEDs are designed for ease of use, even for those without medical training. Each unit comes with clear instructions and audible voice prompts to guide users through the process. The Chapel Hill Fire Department has also been busy training staff, coaches, and community members on both AEDs and CPR.

Alongside this initiative, there will be ongoing education for the community about these devices. For those interested in learning more about AEDs and getting training, information is available through the American Heart Association. Being prepared isn’t just important—it’s life-saving.

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