2nd AED Unit Given to BCHS
By Mona Sandefur, The Benton Evening News
March 24, 2005
Randy House and his wife, Debbie, have donated an
AED unit to Benton Consolidated High School.
This makes the school's second automated external
defibrillator. It is currently located outside the
school's office door.
Prepared to talk users through the process of saving
someone's life in case of sudden cardiac arrest, the
battery-operated AED unit sits in a storage box donated
by the Rotary Club.
The Colleen O'Sullivan Law -- landmark legislation
requiring school gymnasiums, health clubs and indoor
park districts to have at least one AED on the premises
and staff trained in its use -- paved the way for
the second AED unit to be located at the school.
BCHS Safety Coordinator Larry Hancock said the school
received the first AED last April, a donation from
the Franklin County Healthy Community Coalition through
the Miners Memorial Health Center, which is located
in West Frankfort.
"We had three qualified trainers at that point,"
Hancock said: "Shanna Bartell, with Miners Memorial
Adolescent Health Services, our school nurse and health
instructor Peggy Harris, and our Physical Education/Health
Department Chairwoman Sally Niemeyer."
Hancock said the second AED unit would be permanently
installed near the East Gym.
"We are looking for donations for a third unit,
so we will have two stationary and one traveling unit,"
Hancock said. "The units will be taken to the
football, track and baseball fields. In case we have
more than one event going on at the same time, we
will have an AED on-site at all outdoor events."
Hancock said the school anticipates having a fourth
unit located near the coaches' offices.
"Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution
toward the purchase of another AED unit may send checks
made payable to the Benton Education Foundation to
the high school," Hancock said. "Be sure
to note on the memo line of the check the words, 'for
AED.'"
More than 250,000 Americans die each year from sudden
cardiac arrest. Almost 50,000 of these could be saved
if they receive quick treatment with an AED.
Christina Carney, administrative director with Miners
Memorial Health Center, said AED units cost approximately
$1,400, which includes a case, paddles for adult patients
and a battery.
Hancock said Clay Hobbs, owner of Mercy Regional
Ambulance Service, contributed paddles for patients
under 8 years of age, gloves and a protective mask
for CPR usage.
"Clay has agreed to replace our adult paddles,
which expire every three years, and to replace the
battery, which needs to be replaced every five years
or less depending on use," Hancock said.
Carney said training is provided free of charge through
Operation Heart Start.
"No one should have to pay to be trained to
use an AED unit," Carney said. "Operation
Heart Start is a task force comprised of different
agencies all working to place AED units throughout
Southern Illinois. We have already placed eight units
throughout the state."
Carney said training is available through colleges,
Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health and the Illinois
State Police, to name a few.
Hancock said BCHS Principal Sue Woodfin and Superintendent
Kelly Stewart recently attended a workshop, in which
participants received AED and CPR training.
"We now have 10 of our instructors and staff
who are qualified in both and we expect to have more
trained soon," Hancock said. "After the
recent training Ms. Stewart wants to offer this as
part of an in-service workshop. She wants all staff
including bus drivers, janitors, cooks, secretaries,
and teachers to be well-versed in CPR and AED training
in case of an emergency."
"The units talk you through the steps,"
Woodfin said. "This is something everyone can
do."
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