Recognizing American Heart Month this February, the Kauai Fire Department and County of Kauai have launched PulsePoint Respond, a life-saving mobile app designed to improve the survival rates of those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

What You Need To Know

  • “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,” said KFD Fire Chief Michael Gibson

  • The Kauai community can download the app, which is free in the Apple Store and Google Play store by searching for “PulsePoint”

  • According to the PulsePoint website, the service is only offered where it’s adopted by a local public safety agency

“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,” said KFD Fire Chief Michael Gibson in a release.

“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. 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,” Gibson said.

The Kauai community can download the app, which is free in the Apple Store and Google Play store by searching for “PulsePoint.”

According to the PulsePoint website, the service is only available to a community after it’s been “adopted” by a local public safety agency.

The way PulsePoint Respond works is that those trained in CPR and who are willing to assist in an emergency are alerted through the app when someone nearby is experiencing a cardiac emergency. Being location-aware, the app sends alerts to those trained in CPR when the cardiac situation is in a public space. The app also directs users to the nearest publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillator that can be used while awaiting emergency responders.

According to PulsePoint, over 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest each year in the U.S. PulsePoint Respond helps citizens intervene in cardiac emergencies, potentially saving lives before first responders arrive.

The app’s notifications are sent only after the 911 system has been activated to ensure the response is coordinated with emergency services.

KFD and Kauai County provides the following resources for those interested in learning about the app and how they can help during a cardiac emergency:

Contact the Kauai Fire Department for more information at 808-241-4980 or kfd@kauai.gov.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.