Simpsonian

Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: News

An AED, pictured above, is used during cardiac conditions. SGA recently approved a proposal to purchase an additional device for use in the Cowles Fieldhouse. Jessie Springer/Staff Photographer

The Student Government Association has decided to purchase a new automated external defibrillator for Cowles Fieldhouse.

AEDs are used during apparent cardiac conditions. Hadden said they can sense a person's heart rhythm by applying pads to the skin. Everything is automatic, and the machine will shock a person if it needs to.

"The machines used to be exclusive to ambulances and hospitals," Hadden said. "Now they are in a lot of public places."

Using an AED can increase patients' survival rates dramatically. They also help to prevent brain damage that can occur from a lack of oxygen

Senior Jamie Keller, an athletic training major, raised the issue of placing an AED in Cowles Field House earlier this year.

"I think it's important because the current ones are not accessible for all events," Keller said.

Cowles was selected for a new AED because of its location and the type of activities that take place there.

"Cowles is probably the place on campus with the highest volume of people on a daily basis," Mike Hadden, director of athletic training, said. "It holds a lot of events."

Senior Emily Salberg, senior class president and an athletic training major, said having an AED in Cowles is important for athletes and those who use the weight room.

"There should be one in the facility where people work out, where there's intramurals, athletes and fans," Salberg said.

Cowles is home to many sporting events, including practices and games. Many people also use the weight room and attend class in the building every day. Several large events, such as graduation, are held there each year.

Hadden said there have been some issues with people having heart problems in the past.

"We've never had to use an AED, but we have had people with chest pains and people with past histories of heart problems," Hadden said.

Earlier this school year a student athlete was taken to the hospital during a sporting event suffering from chest pains.

"That's why it is important to get one now," Salberg said. "We don't want this to be a situation where it's an aftermath thought. We don't want to look back in hindsight and wish we would have had these."

Continued...

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