Being AED Aware Can Save a Life When Seconds Matter
- Madeline AEDFO
- Oct 15, 2025
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2025
Toronto, ON – Every year, approximately 60,000 Canadians experience sudden cardiac arrest. During such emergencies, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can increase survival rates by up to 60 percent. Yet, AEDs are used in fewer than 4 percent of cardiac arrests.
Tomorrow, October 16, marks World Restart a Heart Day, an annual global initiative promoting AED and CPR awareness and training to help save lives.
“Everyone should be AED aware. That means knowing where AEDs are located and understanding how easy they are to use,” said Roberta Scott, co-founder of AED Foundation Ontario and a retired Toronto paramedic with over 30 years of service. “AEDs are simple. The device audibly guides a bystander through the process of placing the pads on a person’s chest and indicates when to deliver a shock.”
It’s estimated there are over 100,000 AEDs in Ontario, but only about 10 percent are registered through local agencies. The AED Foundation Ontario has partnered with Ontario’s Ministry of Health to build the province’s first centralized AED registry, ensuring devices are properly registered, maintained, and integrated with the 9-1-1 system. This integration will enable Ambulance Communications Officers to direct callers to the nearest AED during a cardiac emergency.
“As the official AED registrar, we are connecting communities to these lifesaving devices by ensuring AEDs across Ontario are located and ready to rescue when cardiac emergencies occur,” said Scott.
In 2017, John Turco, a long-time physical education teacher, collapsed during a friendly basketball game. Thanks to immediate CPR and the quick use of an AED, his life was saved.
“As a physical education teacher who maintains a healthy lifestyle, I never expected to suffer a cardiac arrest,” said Turco. “If it wasn’t for the quick actions of my teammates and a nearby AED, I wouldn’t be here today. I encourage everyone to learn CPR and how to use an AED. Cardiac arrest can happen anytime to anyone.”
World Restart a Heart Day, recognized annually on October 16, is led globally by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) to raise awareness and encourage public education in CPR and AED use.
About AED Foundation Ontario
AED Foundation Ontario is the official Automated External Defibrillator (AED) registrar for the province, building a registry that connects AED locations with 9-1-1 dispatch. Its mission is to increase AED use through promotion, advocacy, and education.
For more information, visit: www.aedfoundationontario.ca
Media Contact:
Jamie Hofing
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