Rec Center armed with new life-saving defibrillator

BY GREG OKUHARA
Rice News Staff

Two years ago, a recreation center employee found a man who had been playing racquetball unconscious in Bellingham, Wash., north of Seattle. He had suffered sudden cardiac arrest.

The fitness center had an automated external defibrillator (AED) on the premises that was able to help revive the man in two minutes, before emergency medical technicians arrived. The patient later was treated and released in time to enjoy the New Year.

Rice officials are well aware of the dangers of heart attacks and are providing technology to assist victims. The Rice Recreation Center has installed a Public Access Debifrillation (PAD) site in the hallway outside the Aquatic Center Pool, which houses an AED.

Richard Barnhouse, assistant director for operations at the Recreation Center, said his department decided it should have an AED on site because it is becoming the standard in emergency care at facilities like his.

”We believe that we are setting a new standard at Rice and are trying to uphold that standard for safety,” he said. ”They are not at every school’s recreation center, but every university should have an AED in facilities used for such an application.”

Barnhouse added that every staff member in the Recreation Center will be trained on the AED, but the device is so easy to use, a bystander will be able use it without trouble. He also plans to eventually have an AED in every major area of the Recreation Center over the next few years.

When the AED cabinet of the PAD is opened, an audible alarm will sound and Rice Emergency Medical Services will be alerted to respond immediately.

The AED cost $2,700 and was funded from the Recreation Center’s budget. Rice Emergency Medical Services Captain David Melville said the AED is a vital part in providing emergency care for someone who has suffered cardiac arrest.

”The AED is becoming as standard as CPR, and is even easier than CPR,” Melville said. ”The device is what actually is going to save the life.”

If defibrillation is provided within the first five minutes of cardiac arrest, there is a 50 percent chance the victim’s life can be saved. With response time so vital in emergency situations, Barnhouse and Melville stressed that public access to the AED was important.

”A few minutes can make a world of difference between life and death,” Melville said.
Additionally, the Facilities and Engineering department has purchased an AED and the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management also is looking into acquiring one.

”We’re glad we can provide this in our facility,” Barnhouse said. ”This is just one of the many changes we’re implementing to make this facility on campus better.”