First AED coming to Dwight Merkel, thanks to Project 100 donation

The Dwight Merkel Sports Complex in Spokane is set to receive its first Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on April 19, 2025, at 11 a. m. , thanks to a generous donation from Project 100. This event will coincide with a day filled with sports tournaments, offering an ideal opportunity to emphasize the critical role of AEDs in saving lives during cardiac emergencies. According to Project 100, sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, making rapid response essential—each minute without intervention decreases survival chances by 10%.

The AED will be housed in a SaveStation cabinet, ensuring it's available year-round and features monitoring and emergency instructions for public use. Local leaders, including representatives from the Spokane Parks department and the Spokane Fire Department, are expected to attend the ceremony. Jonathan Drezner, director of the Center for Sports Cardiology, praised Project 100 for enhancing community preparedness, especially in outdoor sports settings. The initiative aims to install AEDs at all Spokane sports complexes, furthering the mission to improve emergency response capabilities. This important step reflects a growing commitment to community health and safety.