By Judith Klontz
On Thursday, Mar. 3, the Little Fort Hall accommodated 13 local participants as they familiarized themselves with the new Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The AED was purchased using a grant from the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society (LNTCFS) and hopefully will never have to be used.
An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnosis the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias associated with a heart attack. Under correct use, the AED can treat victims through defibrillation – the application of electricity which allows the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.
With simple audio and visual commands, AEDs are designed to be easily used by the layperson. Many basic first aid courses will teach one how to use an AED.
Participants included interested members of the local community as well as representatives from Little Fort Volunteer Fire Department, Friday Carpet Bowlers, and the Little Fort Recreation Society.
Dan Daase, a paramedic from Clearwater, provided instruction on the use and maintenance of the AED, as well as supervising participants as they went through the steps of ‘What to do when confronted with a non-breathing casualty’.
AEDs are becoming more common in many public buildings such as corporate and government offices and shopping centers; they are brightly coloured and mounted in protective cases and often near the entrance of a building.
Next time you are at the Ridge in Barriere, look on the wall to the right as you enter the building, and you will see their AED.
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