College Installs AED Devices

During the Veteran's Day holiday, UCBA campus saw the installation of 12 new AED or Automated External Defibrillator devices throughout the campus.

There are four devices in Muntz Hall, one on each floor near the east elevators and one outside Room 119, the auditorium.

In the SAHB building, there is one device on each floor, on the pole near the elevator. There is also one device in each of the following buildings: Vet Tech, The Flory Center, Dental Hygiene, and the Annex building. These devices are all located near the fire extinguisher in those areas.

The last of the devices is kept in the police vehicle, which patrols the campus. The University is leasing these devices from Cintas, the same company that leases and services the campus's fire extinguishers. Cintas will also service and maintain the AED devices.

When activated, the AED will begin a step-by-step audio program, which will guide the user through the proper steps for applying the adhesive pads and performing CPR. The AED will only administer a shock if its bio-feedback determines one to be necessary.

Whenever one of the devices is used, it will emit an audible alarm. The devices are fairly simple to use, but the College offered two free training courses recently to anyone who wanted to attend.

There are also six copies of the training DVD on reserve in the UCBA library as well as an instructional video on YouTube, which lasts about two minutes and gives a complete demonstration of how to use the AED device properly.

Assistant Dean Gene Kramer said people should not be afraid to use them, but he also cautioned, "In any emergency always dial 911."