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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
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Hoosier United Methodists together |
October 2004 |
Defibrillators making debut in Indiana churches
By Brittany Brown
This summer an elderly member of Zionsville United Methodist Church collapsed of a cardiac arrest at a church concert. Within seconds a certified AED instructor and the congregation's parish nurse, Marilyn Berry-Stamm, came to her aid and saved her life using a recently installed portable defibrillator to restore her heartbeat to normal.
Zionsville member Dick Clymer called the act a miracle. He felt especially pleased because he had arranged the financing and purchase of the automated external defibrillator (AED) for his church.
A year ago, Clymer helped form a group to address special needs at the Zionsville congregation. One of those needs was an AED, a device used in emergency situations involving cardiac arrest. Clymer researched models and found donors within his congregation to help purchase the AED. By the spring of this year, the defibrillator was in place.
AEDs are beginning to be more prevalent in the non-medical sector. As a result, many major airlines equip their planes with AEDs, and a growing number of private businesses are taking the same action. Churches and other public buildings are beginning to obtain AEDs, too.
Measures heart rhythm
According to the American Red Cross, these small medical devices are used to measure a person's heart rhythm. If that person's heart rhythm is determined to be abnormal, the AED will issue an electric shock through the victim's chest to jolt it back into a normal rhythm. This abnormality can result from various heart conditions or traumatic events, including cardiac arrest. Using an AED can result in saving the life of a potential heart attack victim.
Health experts, such as the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, advocate the widespread distribution of these lifesaving devices. The Red Cross says, "delivering an electrical shock to the heart, which is known as defibrillation, is recognized as the most critical step in restoring cardiac rhythm and resuscitating a victim of (sudden cardiac arrest)."
Indianapolis United Methodist-related Clarian Health reported in its February newsletter that over "680 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest" each day, and that "95 percent of those who suffer cardiac arrest die before reaching a hospital."
As stated on the American College of Emergency Physicians' Web site, "a victim's best chance for survival is when there is revival within four minutes," often before emergency medical units can arrive. Having an AED nearby can vastly improve a victim's chances of survival.
Installing AEDs
At least four greater Indianapolis United Methodist churches - Zionsville, Christ, St. Luke's and North - have installed an AED. While taking action to install the AEDs, each learned that operators must take both CPR and AED training offered by many hospitals and local American Red Cross organizations. The cost is about $50.
Both Zionsville and North congregations discovered that it is unnecessary to take outside classes. After each of the congregations purchased an AED, certified AED trainers within their membership offered to give classes themselves. According to Parish Nurse Millie Lewis of North UMC, ushers and custodians have gone through the training as the most likely people to be available in a crisis. Many members have been trained, too.
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'95 percent of those who suffer cardiac arrest die before reaching a hospital.' - Clarian Health |
Those who have undergone this training from approved organizations and have followed procedure correctly are protected from liability in Indiana by Good Samaritan laws, according to Indianapolis attorney Kelly Pitcher, unless in a case of gross negligence or wanton misuse. A church that has purchased an AED must notify its local emergency medical service of its location and ensure that the people who intend to use it are properly trained.
Pitcher further told Together that anyone called on to operate the AED must still contact emergency medical services as soon as it is feasible to do so. Ultimately, Pitcher advises any congregation considering the purchase of an AED to consult a legal adviser to determine the precise requirements and ramifications of doing so.
Soon AEDs may be as commonplace as fire extinguishers and exit signs in churches. With an aging population in our congregations, AEDs will continue to save lives. When Dick Clymer decided Zionsville UMC need an AED, he had no idea that in less than a year his actions would save the life of one of his fellow members.
For more information or to find training classes near you, log on to www.americanheart.org or www.redcross.org. Also contact Greg Strine at Clarian for class offerings at gstrine@clarian.org.
Brittany Brown serves as a student intern from Butler University in the Indiana Area United Methodist Office of Communication.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008