Lifeguards in Enderby with life-saving AED (Photo credit: City of Enderby)

By Pete McIntyre

AEDs

City adds life-saving devices for crucial moments

Sep 11, 2023 | 3:23 PM

Should a health emergency occur, Enderby will be prepared.

The City of Enderby, Enderby and District Services Commission, Enderby and District Recreation Services and Enderby Funtastic have partnered on purchasing automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) to improve access during the crucial moments after a person experiences sudden cardiac arrest.

An AED is a device that gives an electrical shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. The shock can help the heart re-establish a normal rhythm. The devices are safe and easy to use even with little to no training or experience.

Use of an AED, combined with performing CPR and calling 9-1-1, can drastically increase the chance of survival for a person having a cardiac event.

Enderby’s AEDs are located at: the public pool; Arena; Drill Hall; Riverside Park ball diamonds; Visitor Centre; City Hall and Riverside RV Park and Campground.

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“I am pleased to see our community step forward and partner to enhance the safety of our residents and visitors by making this lifesaving technology available more broadly,” City of Enderby Mayor Huck Galbraith said. “The ability to save a person who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest increases dramatically with nearby access to an AED.”

Visitor Centre counsellors with AED (City of Enderby photo)

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to any person, of any age, anywhere. When this happens, immediate treatment is vital.

Accessible AEDs are important because they put lifesaving technology where it can do the most good.

“The Enderby and District Services Commission is pleased to see new or additional AEDs at many of our athletic facilities. These are among the locations where they have the greatest chance of saving lives,” Commission Chairperson and Area F Director Allysa Hopkins, said.

The AEDs feature cutting-edge technology that detects heart rhythms and administers shocks with escalating intensity, all while providing audible instruction so that a person with minimal or no training can assist a person experiencing a medical emergency.

Sheryl Hay and Kaylee Wells with Enderby and District Recreation Services support the initiative 100 per cent.

“Physical health and lifesaving technology go hand in hand, and Enderby and District Recreation Services is proud to contribute to this initiative supporting the safety and well-being of our community members,” they said.

Enderby Funtastic vice-president Dave Lancaster agreed.

“This is an investment in the lives of our players and their families. The ability to access this lifesaving technology at the ball diamonds will save lives,” Lancaster said.