Heartstream ForeRunner Named Official Women's World Cup Defibrillator
The Hewlett-Packard Heartstream ForeRunner automated external defibrillator (AED) has been selected as the official defibrillator for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup (WWC). This agreement provides the HP Heartstream ForeRunner AEDs to the WWC's Player Urgent Care Centers at various match venues. The ForeRunner AED is used to deliver lifesaving defibrillation therapy to victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), one of the nation's leading killers.
"Having AEDs available at sporting events such as the Women's World Cup is essential to providing the speed and efficacy needed to save lives," says Bert Mandelbaum, M.D., medical director for the WWC. "We are very pleased that HP is partnering with us to help us provide the fastest- and best- possible medical care to our athletes, officials and spectators."
As the official defibrillator supplier to the WWC, HP is providing ForeRunner AEDs to Player Urgent Care Centers at the Rosebowl in Pasadena, CA; at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, CA; at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, CA; and at Civic Stadium in Portland, OR. HP also will supply a ForeRunner at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, MA.
According to the American Heart Association, the chance of survival decreases by 10% for each minute that passes without defibrillation therapy, the definitive treatment for SCA. Distance, weather and location of the victim can adversely affect emergency medical service response times. Consequently, the portable ForeRunner AED enables sports medical personnel to speed lifesaving therapy to SCA victims at sporting event(s).
The ForeRunner AED is the official defibrillator of the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the National Ski Patrol. Additionally, it has been seen at such events as the U.S. Open, the Kemper Open and the World Cup ski championships in Vail, Colo. and will be seen at the Winter Olympics in 2002. The ForeRunner AED is also owned by such teams as the Buffalo Bills, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the San Francisco 49ers.
In addition to supplying the defibrillators, HP is also an Official Sponsor of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and is supplying computer hardware, including servers, personal computers, laptops, inkjet and laser printers, and maintenance.