BELFAST, Northern Ireland, December 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- HeartSine Technologies received the Outstanding Achievement in Business Award at the 14th annual Aisling Awards ceremony, November 25th, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The award honors an exemplary company who has made significant contributions to Belfast and surrounding communities.

The Aisling Award was established by the Belfast Media Group in 1997 to honor champions and ambassadors from every field of endeavor throughout Belfast. It is designed to applaud the progress made in Belfast since the ceasefires of 1994 and to salute the heroes of the changing city.

HeartSine was recognized for its outstanding innovation and public awareness work in the field of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in and around Belfast. According to HeartSine CEO Greg Cash, "It is fantastic to be recognized as Belfast's Best Business at the Aisling Awards 2010. The Belfast experience started here in the 60s with the invention of the first-ever coronary care unit to address the problem of out-of-hospital SCA. Today HeartSine is continuing this legacy by designing, manufacturing and distributing Public Access Defibrillators globally. In so many words it is: 'The Belfast Experience Take II.'"

Cash explained that 80 percent of SCA incidents happen outside of a hospital (i.e., at home, in the gym, at school, at work, etc.). "The result is an estimated 250 people dying prematurely each day. Many of these deaths could be prevented if Automatic External Defibrillators were more widely available," he said. "The Aisling Awards is a public acknowledgment of HeartSine's business success based in Belfast, competing globally. But, more importantly, this recognition provides everyone the opportunity to know how they can save a life and reduce this horrific statistic."

The other nominees in the Outstanding Business category were Aepona, Fern Software and Ortus. Cash said, "The competition was particularly stiff, as they are all great success stories for the local business community."

The black-tie gala was held at the Europa Hotel and featured business, political, community and sports leaders in common celebration of the reborn Belfast. This year's guest of honor was John Ging, the Director of United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Those who have received the coveted Aisling accolade in the past include First and deputy First Minister Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, labour campaigner Inez McCormack and former Lord Mayor and East Belfast MP Naomi Long.