San Diego Medical Services

Project Heartbeat

San Diego Project Heart Beat (SDPHB) is a public access defibrillation program managed by San Diego Medical Services. The objectives of SDPHB are to improve the survivability of sudden cardiac arrest by:

• Making Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) as accessible as fire extinguishers in public and private places throughout the County of San Diego
• Raising AED awareness
• Providing widespread CPR/AED education

Since the program’s initiation in 2001, SDPHB has installed more than 5,000 AEDs throughout San Diego County. AEDs are placed in City and County facilities, private businesses, tourist attractions, healthcare facilities, places of worship, schools and residences—essentially anywhere people gather.

For more information, please visit www.sdprojectheartbeat.com.

Clicks for Kids

Child seats can be very difficult and frustrating to install, and the vast majority are positioned incorrectly in vehicles. Clicks for Kids ensures that child seats are securely and safely installed in your vehicle. If you are interested in hosting an SDMS representative at your child’s preschool, day care, etc., please fill out the form on our contact page.

Community Outreach

SDMS prides itself on being a strong community partner and dedicated corporate citizen. We have logged thousands of community education hours, and are always looking for ways to become more involved.

SDMS offers presentations to inform the community about the city of San Diego’s paramedic services. The presentations are appropriate for community meetings, senior citizen groups, service clubs and any other gathering of adults interested in how emergency medical transportation services are provided and what one can do to prepare for medical emergencies. This presentation is offered free of charge as a part of SDMS’s ongoing effort to keep San Diegans protected and informed.

SDMS is also a strong supporter of numerous charitable organizations and is a frequent participant in local health fairs, public safety fairs, parades, school presentations and many other community outreach programs.

PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES

Have first aid kit and emergency supplies in your home and vehicle.
Make sure your address is easily visible from the street.
Maintain easy access to medical history information.
Take First Aid/CPR classes. SDMS provides classes through our Project Heart Beat program. Learn more at www.sdprojectheartbeat.org.
In case of emergency, ALWAYS DIAL 911!

EMT and Paramedic Snapshot

A few important things to know about the first responders who may respond to your emergency:

EMT Snapshot
• Six to 12 months classroom education
• Class certificate
• National Registry Test or California State Fire Marshal Test
• One to two years in the field

Paramedic Snapshot
A paramedic obtains everything an EMT does, in addition to:
• Nine to 24 months classroom education
• Oral, written and practical exams
• Hundreds of hours of field and clinical education