Defibrillators installed on campus may help save lives

Submitted by Annette Chism
Phone: (907) 474-6164
05/21/05

UAF Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management Department safety officers have installed automated external defibrillators in three areas on campus an effort increase individual chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest. The AEDs are located in the Student Recreation Center, the Butrovich Building and the Poker Flat Research Range. The only known treatment for sudden cardiac arrest is the use of a defibrillator, which uses a powerful electric shock to stop the abnormal heart rhythm and allow the heart to return to a more normal beating pattern. Survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest are less than 2 percent when defibrillation is delayed ten minutes or more.

"Our goal is to protect the lives of our campus community members," said Terry Dowdy, Director of UAF EHS&RM, "Having the AEDs on-site increases access to early defibrillation and helps us save lives."?

Unlike models of defibrillators intended for use by health care professionals, AEDs do not require extensive medical knowledge to understand or operate. The expertise needed to analyze the heartäó»s electrical function is programmed into the device, and enables ordinary people to provide treatment to victims of sudden cardiac arrest.

Many of the employees in the SRC, Butrovich building and Poker Flat Research Range have completed the American Red Cross Standard First Aid, Adult CPR and AED training.

EHS&RM is developing a five year plan for the implementation of additional AEDs at community campus locations as well as the Fairbanks campus.

For additional information please contact UAF EHS&RM at 474-5413 or fysafety@uaf.edu