The Yampa Valley Medical Center Foundation is expanding access to lifesaving medical equipment by placing 49 automated external defibrillators in locations across the Yampa Valley, according to a statement released Tuesday.

Thanks to a $114,000 investment from its Community Health Benefit Fund, the AEDs will be available in a variety of public spaces — businesses, community organizations, schools and service providers across Steamboat, Clark, Hayden and Craig — in an effort to better prepare residents for cardiac emergencies.

“Early use of an AED during a sudden cardiac arrest can more than double a person’s chance of survival, making it one of the most critical links in the chain of survival,” said Julie McFadden, registered nurse and manager of trauma services at the UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, in the statement. “In rural communities, ensuring access to AEDs and providing training in their use is a vital way we protect and care for one another, no matter where a cardiac emergency may occur.”

The project highlights the fund’s dedication to local health, allowing bystanders to deliver aid if someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest before emergency responders arrive, said YVMCF Executive Director Karen Schneider in the statement. 

This initiative continues the YVMC Foundation’s commitment to health and preparedness, offering support and improved emergency response capacity for Routt County and beyond.