STUDENT DIES OF SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST, NO AED AVAILABLE!
In an article written by Denise Whitaker in
KOMO Newsroom, he states, "Every three days in the U.S. a student athlete dies from sudden cardiac arrest.
And new research at the University of Washington shows the chance of survival from such a catastrophic event is slim.
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen during a game, even during practice. It can kill a student who appears to be fit and healthy."
In my earlier newsletter I highlighted the Josh Miller Hearts Act. This pointed to the need to have AED's in every school and have them available during athletic events and practice even after the school is closed to outsiders.
AED are simple to use, easy to be trained in the use of and are reasonably priced.
The AED MUST be within 1 1/2 minute from where ever you might be for it to be effective. This means that one per school is probably not enough. Also, the unit should be in the medical equipment kit that is with every athletic activity.
Think about the statistics and how you will tell a parent that their child could have been saved if an AED had been available. Read More...
Denise Whitaker of KOMO News quoted Dr. Drezner in saying,
"schools must have automated external defibrillators and plans to use them. AEDs are designed to be simple to use for the layman, and the use of AEDs is taught in many first aid and CPR classes."If you collapse at a high school with an AED, the likelihood that you will survive is 60 percent," he said.
For three years, Dr. Drezner has been fighting for legislation to make AEDs mandatory in all Washington schools - but each time it failed to pass."
Does your school or employer have an AED on site? Do you know if anyone there knows how to use it or is certified in its use?
Think about it.