A shocking advance: Sand Rock, Cedar Bluff schools acquire heart defibrillators

By Kristin Latty | September 19, 2003 | The Post | Cherokee County, AL

CEDAR BLUFF - Most deaths due to sudden cardiac arrest occur with little or no warning. The common reason for a cardiac arrest is caused by a disturbance in the heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation which cuts off blood supply to the brain and other vital organs. This accounts for over 2,000 American deaths everyday. However, there is a way to prevent death from heart attacks: defibrillation.

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are small, computerized defibrillators that can interpret a person's heart rhythm and automatically deliver an electric shock to normalize it. In the last few years, AEDs have become common in businesses, schools and other public places.

"The members of the PTO asked me about purchasing a defibrillator for the school," said Cedar Bluff High School Principal Bobby Mintz. "We had heard about other schools who had AEDs and used them to save students lives."

Unless defibrillation can be performed within the first few minutes after the onset of ventricular fibrillation, the chances of reviving a person are very poor. In fact, for every minute that an individual remains in ventricular fibrillation, the chances of resuscitation drop nearly 10 percent. After 10 minutes, the chances of survival are zero.

"There has never been an instance in the 20 years I have been here that we needed an AED, but I would hate to loose a child because we didn't have it," said Sand Rock High School Head Football Coach Russell Jacoway, who oversaw the purchase of one of the devices for the school's athletic program this summer. "We have 13 coaches trained to use it and we keep it in our field house."

Defibrillators are small, but quite expensive. A new AED may cost as much as $3,000. While Cedar Bluff PTO members raised funds to purchase their AED, Sand Rock was fortunate enough to have funds already available.

"Two students, Ross Lumsden and Amanda Crane, were awarded Bryant-Jordan Scholarships last year and with that, the school also received money," said Jacoway. "The athletic department, along with Ross and Amanda, held a meeting to decide what to use the money on. Together we thought buying an AED would be beneficial."

Though training is recommended regardless of which brand of AED used, the only knowledge necessary to operate it is to turn it on. Once the defibrillator is on, it has a computer generated voice that actually instructs the user through the procedure. After being prompted to place the electrode pads on the victim's bare chest, the AED will analyze the person's ECG rhythm and determine if a shock is needed. If shock is imperative, the machine will charge itself and tell you when to press the button that will deliver a jolt of electricity.

"I want to have five coaches and a couple of teachers from both the elementary and high school buildings trained to use the AED," said Mintz. "That way, more than likely if we ever have to use it, someone will be present who has had training."

Though ventricular fibrillation is uncommon in children, it can occur. But it is not recommended that an AED be used on anyone smaller than the size of the average 8-year-old. Unless a child's heart is a certain size, the amount of electrical current delivered by an AED could actually damage the heart or prevent resuscitation. Luckily, there is an electrode available for purchase that can reduce the current and can be safely used on a child of any age.

The Cherokee County Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold AED training courses in the next few weeks. After requesting AED training kits over a year ago, the Red Cross finally got two kits on Sept. 18.

"We are very fortunate to have these machines," said Red Cross trainer Delsie Yother. "With AEDs and people trained to use them, we can make our county safer."

The training kits are exactly like actual AEDs, but they do not deliver a true electrical shock. They simulate what may happen in situations where an AED is needed.

"We have had a lot of inquiries about defibrillator training, "said Red Cross member Sara Hamilton. "We encourage anyone interested in purchasing an AED or being trained to use one to contact us."

"I hope I never have to witness the defibrillator being used, but I feel better knowing that we have one and may save a life," said Mintz.

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