DerryNews.com, Derry, New Hampshire

Derry

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. To join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address. Once you do, your comments will post automatically. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.

comments powered by Disqus
August 27, 2009

AEDs placed in all Derry schools

Portable defibrillator devices placed in all district schools

By Julie Huss

DERRY — The Derry school district plans to be heart smart this fall.

By opening day, all schools will be equipped with portable automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) as part of the district's emergency plan in case of a sudden cardiac attack.

The portable, self-contained devices can shock the heart back into rhythm and, in many cases, can make all the difference if someone suddenly collapses from an apparent cardiac problem.

School administrators and custodial staffers participated in CPR/AED training sessions this summer to learn how to properly use the devices and also gain CPR skills.

"The schools are now a strong partner with a lot of trained people," said Derry Fire Department Director of Emergency Medical Services Chuck Hemeon, adding he was "very, very pleased" with the AEDs being in the schools.

The plan to bring AEDs to Derry schools has been a work in progress for several years, according to district business administrator Jane Simard, adding school PTAs were instrumental in the funding of the devices, raising money and donating approximately $1,200 per school to place devices in each school, with two placed in Hood due to its larger size. She said approximately 60 district staff members have been trained to use the AEDs in the last four weeks.

Hemeon added that bringing the AEDs to schools is another step in the right direction as the town strives to become a "HeartSafe" community by having the machines in key areas around town.

Derry Fire teamed with Philips Medical, Derry Police and the American Heart Association to start the community-based "HeartSafe" program in town, an initiative to help strengthen town resources and put a chain of survival into action to keep people healthy and alive in case of a sudden attack.

Now that AEDs will be in the schools, this helps the cause considerably, Hemeon said, adding the chances of survival grow when AEDs are available and used in emergency situations. In schools, the devices will be placed near the gym area, where many people normally gather for events, sports, and activities.

"We are very proud of this program," Hemeon said, adding the devices are easy to use, and having the schools on board is another step in the right direction.

According to the American Heart Association, thousands of Americans die each year of sudden cardiac arrest. Many of these deaths could be prevented, statistics show, if someone initiates a chain of events that may include the use of an AED. Within four minutes of its use, this machine could more than double a person's chance of survival.

The Heart Association also stated that many schools in southern New Hampshire already have the devices, and many other states have laws requiring the use of portable defibrillators.

Portable defibrillators are currently in use at Pinkerton Academy and at other town buildings. Pinkerton first installed AEDs in 2001, with school staff being trained to operate the devices.

Anyone interested in learning more about operating AEDs or taking a cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, course, can contact the Derry fire department through the town's Web site at www.derry.nh.us.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Derry

Latest News

Stocks