NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifeFaculty/StaffPre-K to 8Service
Foundation provides Lower School with healthcare technology
Nov 9, 2004 8:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Statistics show that when a person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, chances of survival decrease by seven to 10 percent for each minute that passes without defibrillation; therefore, a victim’s best chance for survival is when there is revival within four minutes.
Thanks to the generosity of the Heart of the Community Foundation, Darlington Lower School now has an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site.
“This machine, along with CPR, will give a victim of sudden cardiac arrest a greater chance for survival,” said Diane Lumpkin, assistant principal.
An AED is a small, lightweight device used to assess a person’s heart rhythm. If necessary, it administers electric shock to restore a normal rhythm in victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Historically, only trained medical professionals were able to interpret the heart rhythms on manual defibrillator devices, according to the American Red Cross. However, today’s new AEDs use embedded computer chips to analyze the rhythms instantly and accurately, making it possible for non-medical professionals to administer the same vital service without risking an accidental shock.
The American College of Emergency Physicians supports increased public access to AEDs that is coordinated with community EMS systems and with appropriate training.
Michael Applegate, an educator for the Cardiac Science AED course, held a class at the Lower School Oct. 4. Nine Lower School teachers and Extended Day caregivers attended this AED Quick Response class.
Participants included Theresa Dulaney, P.E. teacher; Patricia Ayer, kindergarten teacher/Extended Day coordinator; Alice Johnson, Extended Day caregivier; Ronda Evans, kindergarten aide; Lucy Babcock, second grade teacher; Barbara Barfield, Spanish teacher; Tami Wilcox, pre-kindergarten teacher; Beth Smith, pre-kindergarten teacher; and Janice Cox, pre-first teacher.
"There are four easy steps to the AED machine," said Dulaney. "[After calling 911,] turn the machine on and stop CPR; remove clothing to attach electrode pads to victim's chest; clear the victim so the AED can check the heart rhythm (the machine will tell you if a shock is needed); clear the victim and press the shock button. An AED should only be used when the victim has no response, has no normal breathing and has no signs of circulation."
Thanks to the generosity of the Heart of the Community Foundation, Darlington Lower School now has an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site.
“This machine, along with CPR, will give a victim of sudden cardiac arrest a greater chance for survival,” said Diane Lumpkin, assistant principal.
An AED is a small, lightweight device used to assess a person’s heart rhythm. If necessary, it administers electric shock to restore a normal rhythm in victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Historically, only trained medical professionals were able to interpret the heart rhythms on manual defibrillator devices, according to the American Red Cross. However, today’s new AEDs use embedded computer chips to analyze the rhythms instantly and accurately, making it possible for non-medical professionals to administer the same vital service without risking an accidental shock.
The American College of Emergency Physicians supports increased public access to AEDs that is coordinated with community EMS systems and with appropriate training.
Michael Applegate, an educator for the Cardiac Science AED course, held a class at the Lower School Oct. 4. Nine Lower School teachers and Extended Day caregivers attended this AED Quick Response class.
Participants included Theresa Dulaney, P.E. teacher; Patricia Ayer, kindergarten teacher/Extended Day coordinator; Alice Johnson, Extended Day caregivier; Ronda Evans, kindergarten aide; Lucy Babcock, second grade teacher; Barbara Barfield, Spanish teacher; Tami Wilcox, pre-kindergarten teacher; Beth Smith, pre-kindergarten teacher; and Janice Cox, pre-first teacher.
"There are four easy steps to the AED machine," said Dulaney. "[After calling 911,] turn the machine on and stop CPR; remove clothing to attach electrode pads to victim's chest; clear the victim so the AED can check the heart rhythm (the machine will tell you if a shock is needed); clear the victim and press the shock button. An AED should only be used when the victim has no response, has no normal breathing and has no signs of circulation."
