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KIRKSVILLE,MO -- Have you noticed those white boxes popping up all over town?

They are known as AED's, otherwise called Automated External Defibrillators.

An AED is a computerized medical device. It can check a person’s heart rhythm. It can recognize a rhythm that requires a shock and it can advise the rescuer when a shock is needed. The AED uses voice prompts and lights to tell the rescuer the steps to take.

They might be small, but they have to power to save lives.

Lisa Archer of Northeast Regional Medical Center said having AED's in Kirksville are an absolute lifesaver.

"We are so far away from any cardiac facility. It is a 90 minute drive to Columbia and time is muscle with the heart and that's the only way we can really emphasize every minute that you lose without some kind of rescue. It is just muscle lost and that could be the difference between life and death," Archer said.

Locations around town that already have purchased an AED include Hy-Vee, Kirksville City Hall, Adair County Court House, Dukum Inn, Kirksville Regional Airport, Kirksville Aquatic Center, Kirksville Country Club, Westlakes, Colton’s Steak House, Moose Lodge, Kirksville North Park, Kirksville R3 Schools and Mary Immaculate Church.

Locations that will soon have an AED include Truman State Pershing Building, JC Penny and Orschlein Farm and Home.

If you are interested in purchasing an AED for your business you are urged to contact the Northeast Regional Medical Center.

AED's run around $2,000.