GLENDALE, Ariz. — Cardiac Science Corporation (NASDAQ: CSCX), a global leader in advanced cardiac monitoring and external defibrillation products, and Priority One Ventures, one of the Southwest’s fastest-growing health and safety solutions company, announced today an agreement under which Priority One will sell and distribute Cardiac Science’s Powerheart® automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to fire departments and emergency medical services in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah.
In addition, Priority One Ventures will work to expand Project Heartbeat, a Phoenix-based Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program, throughout the State of Arizona. Cardiac Science has been the exclusive, preferred provider of AEDs to Southwest Ambulance Project Heart Beat since its inception, and the company will work with Priority One Ventures to execute its plans for statewide PAD programs.
“Eighty percent of all cardiac arrests occur out-of-hospital,” said Michael Shabkie, president, Priority One Ventures. “More and more, elected officials, businesses executives, school boards and other public leaders are tuning in to the risk of SCA striking a citizen at work, at school, or in other public places. We aim to build greater awareness of SCA in Arizona and to make AEDs as accessible as fire extinguishers throughout the state. With the proper level of awareness and access to defibrillation, a bystander can provide the critical intervention that a SCA victim needs while EMS is on the way.”
The key to surviving sudden cardiac arrest is the speed with which cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with defibrillation can be delivered. In addition to CPR, most cardiac arrest victims need an immediate defibrillation to restore the heart’s normal rhythm. If a victim receives defibrillation within one minute of the SCA, there is a 90% chance of resuscitation. If a victim must wait ten minutes for defibrillation, the chance of survival drops to less than 5%.
“As for our professional distribution channel, the Powerheart G3 Pro®’s combination of advanced technology, ease of use, and RescueReady® reliability features is perfectly suited for use by Fire and EMS personnel,” Mr. Shabkie concluded.
“Access to defibrillation in the office, at school, or wherever the public gathers is absolutely critical in saving the life of someone who has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest,” said Garry Norris, Cardiac Science’s vice president of marketing. “Cardiac Science has worked with many different organizations to support PAD programs across the country. We are confident that Priority One will be a great partner to promote the advanced features of our Powerheart AEDs and make them available to its EMS and Fire customers throughout the American Southwest.”
“We are also very pleased that Priority One Ventures has recognized the advanced features of our Powerheart AEDs and decided to make them available to its EMS and Fire customers throughout the American Southwest,” continued Mr. Norris. “We look forward to working with Priority One to expand the presence of AEDs in the region.”
About Priority One
Priority One (priorityoneventures.com) is the region’s fastest-growing Health and Safety Solutions Company, distributing medical supplies, equipment, and providing consulting services. The company, headquartered in Glendale, Arizona has a focus on developing and improving EMS systems in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. In 2006, Priority One Ventures principal, in partnership with Cardiac Science, the Glendale Fire Department and Southwest Ambulance, successfully organized a Guinness World Record for the largest public AED training session at the new Arizona Cardinals Stadium.
About Powerheart
Powerheart brand automated external defibrillators provide reliable, safe, and easy to use cardiac monitoring and defibrillation technology. Powerheart AED’s feature RHYTHMx™ software that detects abnormal heart rhythms, determines whether they are life threatening, and only delivers a shock when needed. Powerheart AED’s also feature the patented RescueReady® technology, which automatically tests the device on a frequent basis to ensure continued functionality. Powerheart’s STAR® Biphasic Waveform Technology provides levels of escalating energy customized to the patient. Hospitals, police and fire departments, as well as many public access facilities including major corporations, public agencies, airlines and airports, arenas, schools, hotels, casinos and consumers use Powerheart AEDs.
About Cardiac Science Corporation
Cardiac Science is truly at the heart of saving lives. The Company develops, manufactures, and markets a family of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic cardiology devices and systems, including AEDs, electrocardiographs, stress test systems, Holter monitoring systems, hospital defibrillators, cardiac rehabilitation telemetry systems, patient monitor - defibrillators and cardiology data management systems. Cardiac Science also sells a variety of related products and consumables, and provides a comprehensive portfolio of training, maintenance and support services. The Company is the successor to various entities that have owned and operated cardiology-related businesses that sold products under the trusted brand names Burdick®, Powerheart®, and Quinton®. Cardiac Science is headquartered in Bothell, WA, and also has operations in Lake Forest, California; Deerfield, Wisconsin; Shanghai, China and Manchester, United Kingdom.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” anticipate,” variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. Forward looking statements in this press release include those that infer or imply that our distribution partner will successfully display, promote and distribute our AEDs, that our Powerheart AED products will be successful in the marketplace, and that this agreement will increase our sales and profits derived from our AEDs and our other products. These statements, including their underlying assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Results may differ due to various factors such as the possibility that the distribution relationship described in this release may be modified or terminated early; that the distribution partner may not generate sales of our AEDs to the extent expected; or that sales of our AEDs may fall short of projections due to unforeseen developments. Other risk factors that could cause or contribute to such varying results are described in our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The statements in this press release speak as of the date of the release, and Cardiac Science Corporation undertakes no duty or obligation to update the information provided herein.