Emergency defibrillators are now being implemented on campus

2/7/08

By Ben Holbrook
Managing Editor

Defibrillators have been strategically placed around campus in case a person has a medical emergency.

A defibrillator is a device that is used to restore normal heart rhythm to patients in cardiac arrest, according to FDA Heart Health Online. The defibrillators around campus are automated external defibrillators, which automatically analyzes heart rhythm and delivers the appropriate voltage.

The defibrillators around campus are being placed in areas where there is heavy traffic, such as the residence halls, the gym, lobbies, and public safety, said Jonathan Davis Interim Associate Dean of Student Affairs. The Health and Safety Committee had discussed purchasing several defibrillators although each unit is fairly expensive, said Davis.

The defibrillators, which are made by Zoll, are automated so that they will give step-by-step instructions as to how to use them, said Davis. This insures that “it will not produce a charge unless it senses that it needs to,” said Davis.

Although the defibrillators can be used by anybody, the resident life staff are specifically trained to use them, said Davis. However, a broader training course is needed for the staff and public safety. In the case of an emergency it would be preferred that somebody with training would use the defibrillator, said Davis.

Ryanne Ayers, a senior English major and RA in Wheelock said she and the other RA’s spent three days training for different medical situations which included using the defibrillators. Should the need arise to use a defibrillator, “I feel confident because I’m not in charge of the shock,” said Ayers.

“It’s our job to make sure people are safe, it’s not just about catching people doing stuff they’re not supposed to,” said Ayers.

“We don’t want to put too many people in situations where they run up against something they aren’t familiar with,” said Davis.

The defibrillators are designed so that they will give step-by-step instructions by voice, such as telling where the contacts are to be placed or if CPR should be administered, said Davis. The proper electrical charge will be automatically chosen should a person need it, said Davis.

Each defibrillator case is alarm activated so that if the case is opened or tampered with an alarm will sound.

Currently not all of the defibrillators have been activated around campus but there are active ones next to the athletic department and at public safety.