RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – Fast action, willingness to help a stranger and a Charleston Coliseum Automatic External Defibrillator saved a man’s life at the state basketball tournament.
An AED delivers a life-saving shock to a distressed heart.
It’s crucial to have an AED on site at school sporting events and large-scale community events because “cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time,” the American Red Cross says.
“For the athletes on the field, but as importantly, for the parents and those in the stands,” said Jan-Care Ambulance Director of Operations Paul Seamann. “American Heart is clear that the sooner you begin compressions (it doesn’t have to be mouth to mouth) just compressions and then get the AED applied in those first few minutes can make a huge difference.”
AH: Immediate CPR and use of an AED can double, or even triple, survival rates.
Seamann says anyone taking a CPR class also learns AED basic training to apply the device (it self-regulates).
“Pause CPR compressions, then analyzes, gives a warning and ‘hit the button.’ If it says to shock, it’s always a rhythm that needs to be shocked. If it doesn’t say shock, it’s not a rhythm that needs to be shocked,” said the Director of Operations. “They’re foolproof. It’s one of the greatest technologies ever invented.”
According to Seamann, every state high school football game has AEDs. Many of the middle schools are also trying to get them. It’s a funding situation.
“They passed legislation that AEDs need to be in the basketball courts, the football fields, cheer competitions, anytime there is a group of people together,” he said. “Some agencies have gone so far as to put it on the practice field like it’s part of the coaching equipment. An ideal situation, if you can get that in your school.”
The Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center has AEDs to prepare for its many
large-scale gatherings.
“We have sporting and senior-focused events. So we want to make sure we have them on standby and our staff is trained and ready just in case,” said General Manager Andrea Akers. “We have one in the conference center area and an additional one in the arena so we can protect our guests when they’re here.”
Whether you’re at the convention center or in the mall, look for AEDs in a white box with red stripes and a pull tab.
“They’re not locked that you have to run and get a security guard, you can break the tab, take out the device and just open the door,” Seamann said. “The device folds open like a briefcase and gives you verbal instructions on how to use it. Anyone can do that. It doesn’t have to be someone from the mall or courthouse. Anybody in the public is allowed to do that in a medical emergency.”
