Ste. Genevieve County R-II is proud to have several life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) stationed throughout the school district. An AED is a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
There are a total of nine AEDs located throughout the district, including the track and field, Yanks and Leons fields, the Performing Arts Center, the gyms and the SGMS / SGHS nurse’s office. During the back-to-school training each year, all staff are made aware of our AEDs and are provided with a video overview of how an AED can be used by anyone in the event of an emergency.
Many in the general public are unaware that these devices can be used in an emergency by anyone, at any time—for instance, when someone has a sudden collapse, or is found with no pulse. There is no special training needed; the user turns on the machine and follows the prompts.
Outside of a medical setting, there are approximately 1,000 sudden cardiac arrests per day. This is seen in all ages and races; it is not uncommon for an otherwise healthy athlete to fall victim. The National Institute of Health reports defibrillation (using an AED) increased survival rate from nearly zero (without chest compressions or defibrillation), to nearly 40% survival.
Bloomsdale Elementary is looking forward to obtaining a national certification as a Heart Safe School through St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Project Adam, a nationwide initiative that has saved the lives of more than 200 children, adolescents and adults who went into sudden cardiac arrest. A Heart Safe School has successfully implemented a quality sudden cardiac arrest program of awareness, training and effective emergency response to promote a safe environment for students, visitors and staff as outlined within the Heart Safe School Checklist. A portion of this checklist requires that AED equipment are located on campus and makes it possible to retrieve an AED, apply pads and deliver a shock (if needed) to an unresponsive victim in under three minutes. Having multiple AEDs easily available districtwide for anyone to utilize is especially important as many groups utilize our facilities outside of school hours, including the Scouts, the American Red Cross, sports clubs and others.
At SG R-II, we want our community to know:
There are life-saving AEDs available throughout the district; and
If our team of trained emergency responders are not on campus, we urge those present to get the AED and follow the voice prompts to help a victim in the event of a cardiac arrest.