LIHUE — Officials in Kauai have launched their latest tool this week that now connects everyday heroes to those in need before the arrival of emergency responders.
On Monday, officials with the Kauai Fire Department (KFD) publicly launched their new essential tool “PulsePoint Respond App,” a free, life-saving mobile application designed to improve survival rates for individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. This system is designed to be a critical part of the chain of survival, providing a faster response, and enhancing public safety on the Garden Isle.
February is American Heart Month, a period during which individuals are encouraged to prioritize their cardiovascular health. In alignment with this initiative, the KFD has introduced the PulsePoint Respond App, designed to notify certified and trained individuals in the vicinity when immediate assistance is required, specifically in cases where an automated external defibrillator (AED) is necessary or when cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is needed for a person experiencing a medical emergency.
The application is designed to be location-aware. When trained residents register for the application, they receive real-time notifications regarding the locations and times at which their assistance is required during medical emergencies occurring in public spaces.
Lifeguard Chris Pico, an Ocean Safety Officer 2 stationed at Hanalei Pavilion Tower 1, on Wednesday afternoon explained the application’s functionality and emphasized the additional layer of safety that it offers to both residents and visitors.
“OK, so there are three levels to PulsePoint,” said Pico, full of excitement. “And the difference is, for example, when you get an alert on the public basic level, boom, it will say ‘swimmer in distress’ by Pavilions at Hanalei and that’s public space, so it might give a more descriptive detail of the area, which is good because there are all these rescue tubes out here so, if a guy is off duty or someone is nearby, boom, they can grab it and help someone immediately.”
“If there is a medical emergency — for example, a cardiac arrest at a restaurant or grocery store — it will give you an alert saying ‘cardiac arrest’ within a quarter mile radius — it’s all geographic — (so) that person sitting next to you at the table or shopping in the next aisle who is trained can jump into action and immediately assist with CPR or an AED,” Pico continued.
“The top level — for example, doctors, nurses or any first responder — gets more detailed information, like home addresses,” he explained. “So, if you’re out, let’s say, in your back yard and you have a serious medical emergency and there is a doctor or a nurse or firefighter next door, boom, they can help you within minutes and save your life. Yeah, it’s great.”
During the explanation and navigation of the PulsePoint App by Pico, an emergency call was received via walkie-talkie from dispatch. The communication indicated that a guest at the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay had reported a potential brush fire in the Waikoko area, and reported seeing white smoke from across the bay.
“OK, here we go, watch the notification pop up on the first responder’s side,” said Pico while the notification appeared on his iPhone. “See, it immediately tells me the location of the incident, and the narrative from dispatch, and look, you can see the smoke there, and if I want to get there quicker, for example, I am a neighbor, I click the button to Google maps and it takes me there. I can get to Waikoko right now in 8 minutes. Yeah it’s so great!”
Additionally, the app offers detailed, step-by-step guidance for the utilization of an AED as well as for administering CPR.
KFD Fire Chief Michael Gibson thanked the numerous supporters who assisted in the project’s fruition in a press release.
“By connecting trained citizens to cardiac emergencies in their community, PulsePoint Respond empowers the community to provide immediate assistance while professional responders are on their way,” Gibson said. “The PulsePoint Respond app enhances our ability to respond quickly and effectively in the critical moments following a sudden cardiac arrest, and we are proud to bring this lifesaving technology to Kauai.”
Gibson added, “Mahalo to the Office of the Mayor, Kauai Lifeguard Association, Hanalei Initiative, and the Kauai County Council for their support in bringing PulsePoint to the island.”
Pico also added that the Lifeguard Association has been working on this project for a couple of years, and appreciates the peace of mind it provides him and will provide everyone on the island.
“We’ve been working on this project for about two years,” Pico said. “Response time on Kauai for KFD is around 20 minutes, depending on where you are, but with Pulsepoint the average response time is 3 minutes.”
“As a father, husband and lifeguard, it’s peace of mind in my pocket because I know a lifeguard, fire member, medic, doctor, neighbor, someone will respond and will help my family and my community,” he continued. “We are in this job to make a difference, we want to do good and want to be better so we improve collectively.
“We are on a small island and we are spread pretty thin so being resilient and resourceful is reassuring. Once the community becomes more aware of the app we can educate more people on CPR, more people on AED, and bring more awareness to that.”
Pico continued, “Having these resources available builds better and stronger communities, and remember you’re not obligated to respond. You have that option but, if you find yourself in an isolated place, for example on a mountain hiking, and can assist someone nearby, yeah go with your abilities.”
According to PulsePoint, more than 350,000 people suffer from sudden cardiac arrest each year in the U.S.; however, CPR performed by bystanders and the use of an AED can significantly increase the chances of survival.
The app’s notifications are only sent after the 911 system has been activated, ensuring the response is coordinated with local emergency services.
For more information on the PulsePoint app, contact KFD at kfd.Kauai.gov or call 808-241-4980.
Residents or individuals trained to assist others who are interested in signing up or learning more about PulsePoint app notifications can visit the following links for further information:
• PulsePoint Respond How-To Video: https://vimeo.com/pulsepoint/respond-ios
• PulsePoint AED How-To Video: https://vimeo.com/394491345
• PulsePoint Respond At-a-Glance: http://www.pulsepoint.org/pulsepoint-respond/
• PulsePoint AED At-a-Glance: http://www.pulsepoint.org/pulsepoint-aed/
