Local school districts featured in March 2010 AED awards

  • March 19, 2010
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The Eastern Ohio AED Initiative recently awarded two Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to each school district in Tuscarawas, Carroll, and Harrison counties. A total of 28 AEDs will be placed into area schools this spring. While the incidence of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is not as high in the school age population as it is in other age ranges, it does occur. There are an estimated 5,000 sudden cardiac arrests each year in school age children in the United States. A host of undetected cardiac problems exist within any sizable school age population and some school activities (especially athletics) may exacerbate these difficulties. Having rapid access to an AED can oftentimes make the difference between a happy ending or a tragedy. Schools for all ages of children have many adults present every day. Teachers, teachers’ aides, custodians, office staff, administrators, reading specialists, and parent volunteers are among those whose lives will be protected through placement of an AED. “Schools serve as central gathering points within the community,” said Mary Newman RN, a school nurse for New Philadelphia City Schools. “Whether it is parents attending a school concert or a school play or everyone in a community attending a basketball or football game, it’s hard to imagine an institution that more regularly attracts large numbers of people for extended periods of time.” There is also educational value in placing AEDs in schools. Primary level teachers can make their pupils aware of what they are and how they are used by keeping the information very general. Secondary teachers can integrate CPR and AED instruction into the curriculum. The more familiar children are with AEDs, the greater the likelihood that they will use them in the event of a cardiac emergency. Though sudden cardiac arrest is a significant public health crisis, it is often misunderstood. SCA is not a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when a blood vessel becomes blocked and interrupts blood flow to the heart, causing heart muscle to die. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions and the heart stops beating. Most of these deaths occur with little or no warning. The most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest is a disturbance in the heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation. These abnormal cardiac rhythms can occur at any age. School AED awardees in Tuscarawas County included: Claymont City Schools; Dover City Schools; Garaway Local Schools; Immaculate Conception School; Indian Valley Local Schools; New Philadelphia City Schools; Newcomerstown Village Schools; Strasburg-Franklin Local Schools; Tuscarawas Central Catholic; Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools; and Sandy Valley Local Schools. In addition to the area school recipients, the Eastern Ohio AED Initiative also awarded AEDs to the following groups: Tuscarawas County YMCA; Midvale, Strasburg, and Tuscarawas police departments; Dover Public Library; Cadiz, Dennison, Dundee, Scio, Uhrichsville, and Zoar fire departments; Trumpet in the Land; villages of Carrollton and Sugarcreek; and the Harrison County Public Library. A total of 44 AEDs were awarded in February 2010. This brings the total number of AEDs provided since the inception of the program in the fall of 2008 to 140. The Eastern Ohio AED Initiative is a nonprofit program in partnership with the American Red Cross, Muskingum Lakes Chapter. For further information about the initiative or to obtain an AED application, visit www.mlcredcross.org or call 330-343-8633 to speak with Chad Conrad, Red Cross director or Dr. Jeff Cameron.


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