A new piece of equipment that was donated Monday to the Hot Springs Family YMCA is one that CEO Pete Davin said he hopes will never be used.
The new equipment, an Automated External Defibrillator, replaces one the YMCA had for a number of years for which parts were no longer available.
"The one we had, we were no longer able to get parts for it, so we spoke to a board member who has contacts with National Park Medical Center and local physicians and he said he'd take care of it. He contacted NPMC and Hot Springs Cardiology Associates became involved, and we now have the new AED in our wellness center mounted on a wall," Davin said.
He said many of the people who visit the YMCA take exercise classes, or work out on the treadmills, bicycles, and stair climbers, so "we just figured we needed to have this just in case."
"NPMC is proud to partner with Hot Springs Cardiology Associates to provide a new AED to the Hot Springs Family YMCA. As an area health care leader, our goal is to maintain the health of our patients as well as our community. Since one of the YMCA's goals is to 'Build Healthy Communities,' it only makes sense that we partner in that effort," said Mandy Golleher, NPMC's director of communications and marketing.
She said Monday's donation "is only a small part of that partnership."
Cindy Draper, NPMC's director of education and cardiac rehabilitation, provided training on using the AED Monday at the YMCA, and NPMC will provide CPR training and certification free of charge to Hot Springs Family YMCA employees going forward.
"It's all a part of our joint efforts to keep our communities healthy," Golleher said.
Davin said about 25 employees attended the training class, including lifeguards, summer day camp staff and counselors, fitness staff attendants, front desk personnel and some management staff.
Draper said it was important to have an AED available if someone suffered sudden cardiac arrest, because it helps extend the survival rate by being able to shock a heart back into a normal rhythm.
She said that, during the training session, she stresses that 911 should be called first, then shows how to make sure the AED pads are placed correctly with the heart between the two pads.
"Then just follow the instructions on the AED as it walks you through everything you're supposed to do. Anyone can use it even though training is helpful, but you don't have to have training, The public AEDs are set up so it doesn't matter if you have any type training," she said.
Draper said if someone collapses and is unresponsive, persons may not know if they are having a heart attack and should proceed to use the AED after calling 911. She said once the AED is activated, it will analyze the person's rhythm and determine whether or not a shock is needed. If a shock is not required, the AED will state one is not needed and CPR efforts should be continued.
"The AED is so intuitive you just flip the lid up and it tells you what to do. It talks you through step-by-step, but hopefully, we'll never have to use it," Davin said.
Local on 07/28/2015