Nursing research leads to AEDs in Chapel Hill parks

Over the past year, Chapel Hill has strategically installed automated external defibrillators across its parks, ensuring that lifesaving technology is available when it matters most. Two of the strongest advocates for the initiative are Carolina emergency cardiac researcher Jessica Zègre-Hemsey and her husband, Dr. David Hemsey.

Hemsey witnessed one of two separate cardiac arrests that sparked the AED installations, both occurring during a nighttime adult soccer league. The doctor and his teammates immediately performed CPR and called 911, but they were unable to access the nearest AED because it was inside a locked public building. Though the victim survived, the experience highlighted the urgent need for AEDs to be accessible 24/7, particularly in outdoor areas.

“As a nurse scientist with a program of research in emergency cardiac care, and with my husband’s background as a hospitalist and professor in the School of Medicine at UNC, we knew we had to advocate for the integration of this lifesaving technology into our community,” said Zègre-Hemsey. She is an associate professor in the UNC School of Nursing and adjunct professor in the medical school’s emergency medicine department.

“Readily accessible 24/7 AEDs are critical to our community and public health,” she said. “Data show that knowing where AEDs are located in an emergency and having ready access to AEDs are critically important to survival for victims of cardiac arrest. This is a significant investment in our community.”

Jessica Zègre-Hemsey

When someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest, every second counts. Without immediate intervention, the chances of survival decrease dramatically with each passing minute. AEDs are designed to intervene during these critical moments. These portable devices detect abnormal heart rhythms and can deliver a shock to restore a normal heartbeat — essentially giving the heart a much-needed reset.

But here’s the challenge: AEDs can only save lives if they’re accessible when and where they’re needed. The town has now installed AEDs in bright yellow boxes at four parks, with plans to expand to more locations soon:

• Cedar Falls Park: outside the restrooms
• Ephesus Park: near the tennis and pickleball courts
• Homestead Park: by the diamond fields and multipurpose artificial fields
• Southern Community Park: next to the inline skating rink and basketball courts

These AEDs are designed for ease of use, even for those without medical training. Each unit comes with clear instructions and audible voice prompts to guide users through the process. The Chapel Hill Fire Department has also been busy training staff, coaches and community members on both AEDs and CPR.

Alongside this initiative, there will be ongoing education for the community about these devices. For those interested in learning more about AEDs and getting training, information is available through the American Heart Association. Being prepared isn’t just important — it’s lifesaving.