Oakwood Hills Police Department Gets New Defibrillator

Oakwood Hills police department gets new defibrillator

Author(s): Liz Clemmons
Date: November 22, 2006

Oakwood Hills is the latest community to acquire a device to be used to save the lives of residents who experience sudden cardiac arrest.
The Cary Lions Club recently donated an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to the Oakwood Hills police department. It is a pre-programmed computer with two tiny pads that are placed on a patient's chest.
The device, weighing about 3 pounds, determines if the victim is in cardiac arrest and delivers a shock to revive the heart.
The AED will be permanently placed in an on-duty squad car, in arm's reach in case a police officer needs to revive any of the village's 2,350 residents.
Cary Lions member Carol Santee, a registered nurse, organized the AED, which was purchased for less than $3,000. While gathering information about AEDs, Santee discovered that many nearby police departments are equipped with the device.
Officers from Crystal Lake, Huntley, Hebron, Johnsburg, Lake in the Hills, Lakemoor and Richmond have access to an AED in their squad cars.
"The police are the first responders at the scene. The police are always in the area, so it makes sense to equip them. Even if they get there two minutes before an ambulance, it's two minutes more for someone to work on the patient," Santee explained.
According to the American Heart Association Web site, the chances of survival for cardiac arrest victims are reduced by 7 percent to 10 percent for every minute that passes without a shock to the heart, or defibrillation.
All 13 Oakwood Hills police officers, already trained in CPR, will receive one hour of training to learn how to properly operate the device.
Santee hopes to begin a fundraising effort soon to raise funds for six AEDs for Cary police officers.
The Oakwood Hills Lions Club disbanded about two years ago, thus the contribution from the Cary club. Chief of police Maynard Williams emphasized the importance of having an AED on hand.
"Early shock saves lives. This technology in the hands of lay people is a wonderful thing. They are everywhere these days, in schools and even golf courses.
"If it works once, it's worth it."

Liz Clemmons covers Cary and Fox River Grove. Contact her at (847)639-3419 or at LizClemmons@@sbcglobal.net.