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NEWTON - Bryan Yarborough and his family watched as his father-in-law passed away.

Raymond Tilley went into sudden cardiac arrest in August 2006. Yarborough’s brother-in-law tried CPR. A sheriff’s deputy arrived before first responders but didn’t have an automated external defibrillator.

“The AED may or may not have prevented our family’s loss, but it could have significantly improved the chances of survival,” Yarborough said.

Yarborough wanted to do something to help, but he didn’t know how until last April when he joined the Hickory Jaycees. The Jaycees, with Yarborough chairing the project, started a program called Project Heartbeat. On Thursday, with sponsorship from Cardiac Science, three defibrillators were donated to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. Cardiac Science manufactures and trains people in cardiology equipment.

Sheriff David Huffman said the three AEDs should be in patrol cars by Monday. Deputies who patrol in remote parts of the county, such as Sherrills Ford, Terrell and Cooksville, will get the first three units. In those areas, the closest hospital or doctor is at least 15 miles away, Huffman said.

“It will raise the level of what we can do a notch,” Huffman said. “I think it’s a tremendous benefit to our area.”

Yarborough’s goal is to raise enough money to have defibrillators in at least half of the sheriff’s office’s 33 front-line patrol vehicles. Until then, Huffman said deputies will rotate the AEDs on shifts. Deputies will be trained to properly use the devices.

The public can help with Project Heartbeat.

The Jaycees will hold their annual pancake breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. Sept. 15. The funds raised will go toward Project Heartbeat. The breakfast costs $7 per plate and includes pancakes, bacon, sausage, milk, coffee or juice. People can eat at the Jaycees clubhouse on U.S. 70, SW, or order takeout or delivery.

Companies and individuals also can donate to Project Heartbeat online at www.jayceeprojectheartbeat.com or by calling Yarborough at 308-8098 or e-mailing him at bryanyarborough@charter.net.

“We can not bring Raymond back, but hopefully, with your full support, we can help prevent another family from the great loss of a loved one, friend or even co-worker,” Yarborough said.

The AEDs usually cost $1,500 each, but the Jaycees were offered a discounted price of $1,300.

ON THE NET:

• www.powerheart.com/resources/aboutSCA.htm

• www.jayceesprojectheartbeat.com