Volume 67, Issue 4

Shocking Additions to Yeshiva Life-Saving Defibrillators Located Around Campus

by Yoel Preminger

Students are eating in the cafeteria enjoying their scrumptious lunch, when suddenly a student slouches in his chair.  People begin yelling “call Hatzolah!”  Panic ensues as a student checks the victim, finds no pulse, and yells, “It’s a heart attack!”  Almost immediately, a security guard arrives with a little box and places it down next to the victim.  He removes two small rubber-like pads and places them on the victim’s chest as the machine begins to speak in a computerized voice: “No pulse detected, ready to shock.”  The guard pushes a button, and the victim’s body jolts as 200 joules of electricity flow through his body.  Slowly the victim’s heartbeat returns as Hatzolah frantically reaches the scene.

All this occurred within two minutes.  Had that little machine called an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) not been nearby, the consequences could have been dire.

Most people have no idea what an AED does, yet it is simple to use and can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.  “The AED machine is the one you see on doctor shows such as ER.  It reads the rhythm of an unconscious person’s heartbeat and walks you through the steps to deliver an electric shock,” explains Chief of University Security Donald Sommers.

The machines are currently located behind the security booths at Belfer and Rubin Halls in clearly marked glass cases.  “It’s there so if there is an emergency, people have easy access to it,” says Sommers.  “It prompts you through the steps.  The only thing that it does not do is deliver the shock to the victim,” which is accomplished by pressing a clearly marked button.

In August of 2000, 25 Yeshiva staff members were trained and certified in Automatic Emergency Defibrillator use and CPR by the American Red Cross.  These staff members provide coverage at each of the Manhattan Campuses.

AED training involves a short class and an exam, after which the participant is issued a Certificate of Completion which does not expire for two years.  The American Heart Association (AHA) requires recertification every two years.  Most of the lieutenants, captains, and several sergeants on campus are trained and certified in using the machine, as well as in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

An AED can range in price from $3,000 to $3,500.  Machines were originally purchased about three years ago, and have recently been replaced by newer and smaller models.

Student reaction to the AEDs and their placement has been largely positive.  “As an EMT, it’s really great to see that YU is taking steps to assure our safety and continued health,” said a Yeshiva College senior.  “Even though we’re mostly young guys, it’s a good feeling having AEDs in convenient locations just in case… I know that if need be, I can grab the machine and save a life.”  Adds YC junior Eric Stern: “I’m really glad that YU has taken proper precautions and the initiative in obtaining these important AED devices.”

However, some students feel that merely having AEDs is not enough.  “I think that Yeshiva College should offer free training courses in CPR and AED use in the future” so that everyone can use the machine, said a Sy Syms School of Business sophomore.

A Little Machine with a lot of Potential

Due to the positive results of early intervention, AEDs are becoming ubiquitous nationwide.  The AHA and American Red Cross report that the chance of survival jumps from 3 percent with CPR to 50 percent with both AED use and CPR.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which kills 350,000 people in the U.S. alone each year, can strike anyone; even a seemingly healthy person can suffer cardiac arrest without warning.  According to the AHA, the only definitive treatment for SCA is a defibrillation shock – an electrical pulse through the heart – which restores a normal heart rhythm.  A defibrillator is used to correct potentially fatal heart arrhythmias during cardiac arrest.  Brain damage from lack of oxygen can occur within four minutes after the heart stops, and prompt action is therefore imperative.

The chance of an SCA victim’s survival decreases by 10 percent for every minute that passes without an appropriate shock.  In order to be effective, defibrillation treatment must be administered within the first few minutes of SCA.  In its publication, Guidelines 2000 for CPR and Emergency Cardiac Care, the AHA recommends defibrillation within five minutes for emergency response outside the hospital.  Recently published studies in the New England Journal of Medicine further support the recommendation with results that show 74 percent survival rates for victims defibrillated within three minutes.

The AED analyzes whether or not the rhythm is treatable with a shock, and it subsequently instructs the user via voice prompts.  If the rhythm is not treatable by the AED, then the machine will prevent a shock.

A shock series contains three jolts of 200, 300, and 360 joules.  After the initial set, CPR is continued for a minute.  The machine then repeats an analysis of the heart rhythm and shocks again if appropriate.  This process is continued until EMS arrives, the rhythm has changed to a non-indicated shock, or a normal rhythm is present (i.e. the heart starts beating on its own).

Defibrillation is only one part of medical care needed to resuscitate a patient.  Other aspects include CPR, oxygen administration, and drug therapy.  With a cardiac arrest victim, Emergency Medical Services must be called immediately, regardless of whether an AED is on site or not.

Use of an AED is fairly simple as it is intended for use by the average person – you do not have to be a doctor or paramedic to operate the defibrillator.  There are courses in CPR and AED training in mostly all cities.

Since EMT response can take as long as ten minutes or more, having defibrillators on hand can allow for immediate action in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.  With the proper training and equipment lives can be saved everyday.  For more information about AEDs, please visit www.defib.org.

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