Kaua‘i Fire Department announces launch of PulsePoint Respond life-saving mobile app

Kaua‘i Fire Department and Kaua‘i County recently launched PulsePoint Respond, a life-saving mobile app designed to improve survival rates for individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

The launch was timed to honor American Heart Month, which is observed in February.

“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 Kaua‘i Fire Chief Michael Gibson. “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 life-saving technology to Kaua‘i.”

The community is encouraged to download PulsePoint Respond, which is free and available from The Apple Store and Google Play by searching for “PulsePoint.”

PulsePoint Respond is location-aware, alerting users trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, and willing to assist in an emergency and notifying them if someone in a public space nearby is experiencing a cardiac emergency.

In addition to notifying residents, the app directs users to the nearest publicly accessible automated external defibrillator, or AED, which is crucial in providing immediate aid while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.

American Heart Month is a time to raise awareness about heart disease and encourage people to take action to protect their heart health.

More than 350,000 people suffer from sudden cardiac arrest each year in the United States, according to PulsePoint, but bystander CPR and the use of an AED can significantly increase the chances of survival.

The app’s notifications are only sent after the 9-1-1 system is activated, ensuring the response is coordinated with emergency services. This system is designed to be a critical part of the chain of survival, providing a faster response and enhancing public safety.

Residents interested in learning more about PulsePoint and how they can help during a cardiac emergency can check out the following resources:

• PulsePoint Respond How-To Video.
• PulsePoint AED How-To Video:
• PulsePoint Respond At-a-Glance.
• PulsePoint AED At-a-Glance.

Contact the Kaua‘i Fire Department at 808-241-4980 or via email at kfd@kauai.gov for additional information.