Project ADAM was created in 1999 in memory of Adam Lemel, a 17 year old from Wisconsin who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while at school and did not survive.
Over 200 lives have been saved across the U.S., and the number keeps growing because of Project ADAM.
About Project ADAM North Carolina
Project ADAM North Carolina is made possible through a partnership with the Duke Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center. We are comprised of volunteer medical professionals working to help schools and community sites in North Carolina improve cardiac safety. Project ADAM provides a framework for cardiac safety as outlined in the Heart Safe Checklist. After a school or community site meets each criterion listed on the Heart Safe checklist, they will be awarded the Project ADAM Heart Safe designation.
Congratulations to the following Heart Safe sites in North Carolina:
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Wake County
- Brinson Memorial Elementary School
- Carolina International School
- Chatham Charter School
- Pine Springs Preparatory Academy
- Pinecrest High School
- Roanoke Rapids Graded School District (first Heart Safe School district in North Carolina)
- South Topsail Elementary School
- Southern Middle School (Aberdeen)
- St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School
- The Academy of Moore County
- Topsail Middle School
- Union Academy Charter
- Valley Springs Middle School
- Voyager Academy
- West Pine Middle School
These schools and community sites have improved safety in our communities by achieving and maintaining all of the criteria on the Project ADAM Heart Safe Checklist.
Is Your Campus Prepared for a Cardiac Emergency?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can happen to anyone, regardless of age or health status. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart goes into a chaotic electrical rhythm known as ventricular fibrillation and the heart muscle essentially quivers and is unable to adequately pump blood throughout the body. This causes a relatively sudden loss of consciousness and, if left untreated, death will occur. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an automated external defibrillator (AED) are essential to saving a person’s life if they are in SCA. An AED is a safe and easy-to-use device designed to detect ventricular fibrillation and deliver a potentially life-saving shock if needed. For every minute that passes from collapse to AED shock, the chance of survival drops by 10%. Providing an AED shock to a victim within 3 minutes of SCA leads to the best chances of survival. Given that the average EMS response time is 10-12 minutes to a location, Project ADAM focuses on sites being prepared by having a cardiac action plan, having CPR-trained individuals, and having enough AEDs in locations to allow access and application to a victim within three minutes.
Benefits of Project ADAM Partnership
Partner with Project ADAM North Carolina to start creating a safer school or community site! There is no cost to partner with us.
Benefits include:
- Access free resources to create a comprehensive cardiac emergency plan
- Receive discounts on AEDs and CPR training through our partner vendors
- Receive continuous support and collaboration with medical professionals as you work towards meeting and maintaining Heart Safe designation
- You become a role model for other schools in your community
How to Become a Heart Safe School/Community Site
- Identify a site coordinator
- Review the Heart Safe checklists (School Checklist and Community Site Checklist)
- Register your site with us
- Schedule a one on one meeting with a team member to receive individualized resources
- Implement all of the items on the checklist
- Receive the Heart Safe designation!
The timeline for implementing these steps will vary for each site. We are available to help you throughout the entire process and beyond.