Saving Lives in Santa Cruz County: Avive AEDs Are Showing Up Where They Matter Most

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) doesn't wait for an ambulance. It can strike anyone, anywhere, at any age, and survival odds fall by roughly 10% for every minute a defibrillator isn't used. That's why access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is one of the most important things a community can invest in. In Santa Cruz County, that access is growing, from a favorite harbor hangout in Santa Cruz to the patrol cars of Capitola police officers.

Why the First Minutes Matter

When SCA occurs, immediately starting bystander hands-only CPR and using an AED can increase survival rates by 40-75%. Paramedics and firefighters respond as fast as they can, but the minutes before they arrive are often the ones that decide the outcome. The more AEDs placed where people live, work, and play, the more chances a bystander has to make a difference.

Two recent deployments show what that looks like in practice: public access AEDs where the community gathers, and AEDs in the vehicles of the first responders who are often first on scene.

A Public Access AED at the Santa Cruz Harbor

In October 2026, a publicly accessible Avive Connect AED® was unveiled at the Santa Cruz Harbor, across from the Walton Lighthouse. The spot was one of Kyle Taylor's favorite places to spend time with friends and family.

The Kyle J. Taylor Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing SCA in youth and honoring the memory of Kyle John Taylor, who died at age 18. The foundation provides low-cost or free EKG heart screenings, donates AEDs, and offers CPR and AED training.

The ribbon cutting was made possible by the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation, Six Minutes to Live: Santa Cruz, SaveStation, and the Santa Cruz Fire Department. The harbor sees locals, visitors, boaters, and families every day, so this device could make a crucial difference for someone in a cardiac emergency. It's also a reminder that community health is a shared responsibility.

Every Capitola Police Patrol Vehicle Now Carries an AED

Next door the Capitola Police Department has taken a significant step. Every patrol vehicle in the Capitola Police Department's fleet is now equipped with an Avive Connect AED®, thanks to a donation coordinated by Six Minutes to Live: Santa Cruz.

The effort was funded by Avive and the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce. Half of the AEDs were donated directly by Avive, and the Chamber funded the remaining units.

Police officers are often the closest responders to an emergency. With Avive AEDs on board in every cruiser, Capitola officers can now add defibrillation to their life-saving skill of CPR for patients in SCA, while fire and EMS personnel are on the way.

Capitola Police Chief Sarah Ryan said: "Every second matters during a cardiac emergency. By equipping every Capitola Police patrol vehicle with an AED, our officers are better prepared to provide immediate, lifesaving care while waiting for fire and EMS personnel to arrive. This remarkable partnership demonstrates what can be accomplished when our community comes together with a shared commitment to protecting lives. We are deeply grateful to Six Minutes to Live: Santa Cruz, Avive, and the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce for making this possible." 

The Role of Six Minutes to Live: Santa Cruz

Six Minutes to Live: Santa Cruz is a local branch of a national non-profit initiative dedicated to improving cardiac arrest survival rates through community CPR education and increasing public access to defibrillation. Hilary Gates, co-founder of Six Minutes to Live and a resident of Santa Cruz, led the coordination that brought the Harbor and Capitola donations together, which are just two of multiple recent and future public access defibrillator placements in the county

"Being a member of the Santa Cruz community means taking a pledge to care for each other.  That’s why placing AEDs is more than just installing a device in a box. It’s a promise. It says: if your heart stops here, help is close, and someone will act,” said Hilary Gates, co-founder and president, Six Minutes to Live: Santa Cruz.  “Working with generous partners like Avive, SaveStation and the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation prove that caring humans are at their best when they unite to help a perfect stranger. It is an honor to be a life-saving part of this community.”."
— Hilary Gates, 6 Minutes to Live

Building a Heart-Safe Community

Public access AEDs and AEDs in first responder vehicles work together. One puts a lifesaving tool within reach of bystanders. The other makes sure officers arriving on scene can act immediately. Neither works without people who know what to do, which is why CPR and AED training matters just as much as the devices.

Here's how you can help:

• Learn hands-only CPR and how to use an AED. Training can make the difference between freezing and acting.
• Know where your nearest AED is. Take note of devices at your workplace, gym, school, and favorite local spots.
• Support local organizations. Groups like the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation and Six Minutes to Live: Santa Cruz rely on community backing to place devices and offer training.
• Consider an EKG screening for young people. The Kyle J. Taylor Foundation offers low-cost or free screenings.

From the Walton Lighthouse to Capitola's patrol cars, Santa Cruz County is building a stronger chain of survival. Every AED placed, and every person trained, improves the odds that someone's neighbor, friend, or family member gets a second chance.