More articles from Space, Spacified for Web use.

Difibrillators set up around campus


Defibrillators have been strategically placed around campus.

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 machines are being placed in areas where there is heavy traffic, such as the residence halls, the gym, lobbies, and Public Safety, Jonathan Davis Interim Associate Dean of Student Affairs, said .

The Health and Safety Committee were discussing the purchasing of several defibrillators although each unit is fairly expensive, Davis said.

Training for use.

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

While the defibrillators can be used by anybody, the resident life staff are specifically trained to use them, Davis said.

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, Davis said.

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,” Ayers said.

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

The new 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, Davis said . The proper electrical charge will be automatically chosen should a person need it.

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.