Brunswick School is one of a number of buildings in Melfort with Automated External Defibrillators. (Submitted photo/Rodney White)

By Cam Lee

ABC's of AED's

Discussing the importance, availability of AED’s in Melfort

Feb 13, 2020 | 12:00 PM

The recent cardiac incident involving St. Louis Blues defenceman Jay Bouwmeester is a reminder of the importance of Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s).

Bouwmeester collapsed while on the bench during the first period of the Blues game against Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The game was postponed.

St. Louis General Manager Doug Armstrong told the media on Wednesday a defibrillator was used to revive Bouwmeester.

Melfort Ambulance Manager Wayne Therres told northeastNOW the device is used to correct an irregular heart rhythm known as ventricular fibrillation, the most common rhythm in someone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest.

Therres said a sudden cardiac arrest is “the stoppage of the heart beating in an organized manner, so that it can actually circulate your blood.”

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The most effective treatment for ventricular fibrillation is to use an AED, according to Therres. He said they are an easy-to-use device that can now be purchased for the home at stores like Costco.

The device determines whether a defibrillation is required and will provide the shock to provide the quivering heart, so it resets and resumes a normal rhythm.

The devices have been de-regulated in Saskatchewan so you don’t need any medical oversight to have AED’s in a workplace, although it is recommended.

Therres said there are a number of schools and businesses in Melfort that have AED’s.

The City of Melfort has AED’s in all city-owned facilities, Facilities Manager Leonard Whitney told northeastNOW.

That includes two at the Northern Lights Palace, and one each in the Kerry Vickar Centre, City Hall, and the Melfort and District Museum.

“We feel that [AED’s are] very important to the public’s safety,” Whitney said. “[AED’s] are an important thing to have at facilities like that because [emergencies seem] to creep up on people when they least expect it.”

All of the AED’s are user friendly, according to Whitney. He said the City tries to ensure that staff members are certified in first aid and CPR so they can help in case of emergency.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974