Stephanie Boynton, vice president and CEO of Erlanger Bledsoe Hospital and Sequatchie Valley ED, presents an AED to Sarai Pierce, supervisor of Instruction PreK-eighth of Sequatchie County Schools
Officials with Erlanger Health System donated an automated external defibrillator (AED) to Sequatchie County Schools on May 22.
“We are beyond proud to offer this device to Sequatchie County Schools,” said vice president and CEO of Erlanger Bledsoe Hospital and Sequatchie Valley ED Stephanie Boynton. “Quick use of an AED in a heart-related incident can greatly affect the outcome for a patient. It’s important to help equip our community to be able to offer aide in life threatening situations until first responders arrive.”
According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States.
The association also states that a victim of sudden cardiac arrest is more likely to survive if they receive defibrillation through an AED within the first minute.
LIFE FORCE, Erlanger’s air medical service, will provide training to the schools’ staff. Although training is not required to use an AED, it is encouraged for all staff who work near AEDs to learn how to use them properly.