BANGOR – Paramedic Dan Landers, an instructor of CPR and defibrillation for businesses, has started a program on automated external defibrillation at Innovative Fitness, which provides cardiac rehabilitation services at Union Street Athletics.

“Every day, nearly 1,000 Americans suffer sudden cardiac arrest,” Landers said. “Their best chance for survival is if someone nearby has access to an automated external defibrillator and knows how to use it. That’s the essence of public access defibrillation.”

Landers said the first person on the scene of a cardiac arrest is usually not a paramedic. Since every minute counts in saving a victim’s life, small businesses, office buildings, malls, health clubs, restaurants and other venues should all have an AED.

“Defibrillators should be like fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, or first-aid kits,” he said.

Innovative Fitness acquired the model through Safetynet Firstaid training-consulting business. It has voice and graphic prompts, and guides a rescuer through each step of defibrillation process or CPR.

Those interested in acquiring an AED and being trained to use it may contact Landers of Safetynet Firstaid at 745-2552.