Deborah Tracy | The Daily World
Katie Boucher, left, of Philips Health Care, demonstrates how to attach the pads of the automated external defibrillator to “Mat,” held by Stephanie Schoo of the American Red Cross, at the Aberdeen Timberland Library.
Deborah Tracy | The Daily World
Katie Boucher, left, of Philips Health Care, demonstrates how to attach the pads of the automated external defibrillator to “Mat,” held by Stephanie Schoo of the American Red Cross, at the Aberdeen Timberland Library.
When a heart stops beating, seconds count.
As a first line of defense in emergency situations, the Timberland Regional Library Distinct teamed with the American Red Cross to install Automated External Defibrillators, known as AEDs, in each of the system’s 27 libraries. The portable electronic devices diagnose life-threatening cardiac arrest and treat it through administering a brief electric shock, which allows the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm until emergency medical help arrives.
The purchase of the devices was made possible through a combination of donations from individuals, organizations, and the library district’s building fund. Locally, the Grays Harbor Community Hospital Foundation was one of those making a donation.
A public event was held to mark the installation of the devices last Thursday. A number of officials were on hand, including Michael Crose, regional library director, representatives from the American Red Cross, an emergency medical technician and Katie Boucher, a Philips Healthcare representative.
Philips is the maker of the device. The Philips HeartStart FRx was chosen for installation in the library because of its ease of use, CPR coaching, and pediatric key accessory that allows use on children and infants as well as adults.
Once the heart starts beating, it’s important to perform CPR until help arrives. Once activated and the heart’s rhythm has been re-established, the device talks out the steps involved in CPR and even emits a tone to indict the timing of chest compressions. In Aberdeen, librarians have been trained in the use of the device, said Christine Peck, Aberdeen Library Manager.
While the device shouldn’t be used on someone who is alert and talking, it can be a life-saver for someone felled by sudden cardiac arrest. One of the safeguards of the device includes a feature that, once pads are attached to the victim’s chest, detects the person’s heartbeat and only sends a shock if it is medically needed. “The only way you can hurt someone with this is to hit them on the head with the case,” Boucher joked.
Special guest at Thursday’s event was Scott Birdsall. In January 2011, Birdsall was a student at Grays Harbor College. He was in the bookstore when his heart stopped beating due to failing grafts from a previous operation. Students and staff were able to re-start his heart using a newly acquired AED at the college.
He has since recovered. It was great for Boucher, she said, to actually meet someone who has been saved with a large portion of the credit due to an AED and the people who used it, along with their skills, on Birdsall.
