A yellow piece of machinery that talks to you will be a key component of School District 43's first aid tool kits as the district rolls out its plan to have Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in all schools.
The plan costing $80,000 will see principals, high school students and custodians trained to use the AEDs that can tell when someone needs a life-saving shock and will administer it.
On Tuesday, a cardiologist with the BC Children's Hospital lauded the district for being the first in the province to commit to purchasing the AEDs and said that training and educating people about their importance will prevent heart attack fatalities among among children.
"You guys have taken a huge step," Dr. Shubhayan Sanatani told the board, but he added that he would like to see AEDS in more public facilities because they save lives.
Health and Safety manager Wendy Bennett told the board that Grade 10 students will be taught how to use the AEDs during their CPR training, and principals, custodians and employees with first aid certificates will be taught how to use them, too.
According to Sanatani, the defibrillators are "comically simple" to use because when the tabs are placed on the skin near the heart, the equipment vocalizes the steps that need to be taken to administer the life-saving shock.
"There is a huge downside in not having one of these," Sanatani said, describing how one of his recent teenage patients nearly died while waiting for paramedics to arrive at a public restaurant.
Typically first responders reach a person suffering cardiac arrest in eight minutes but survival chances are greater when a shock can be administered within three minutes.
Because heart problems, especially among children, often go undetected, an incident can occur without anyone being prepared. Having AEDs in schools, trained administrators and an educated school population, will reduce the likelihood of sudden death, Sanatani said.
"We need a bail out strategy, that's where AEDs come in," he said, adding later: "I think you are going to save a life. But keep the conversation going because we are not there yet."
The machines typically cost about $2,000 but the district bought a bulk order through a cost arrangement facilitated by the province, bringing the cost down to about $1,200 apiece.
"The cost of these machines (can't be) compared to saving even one life," board chair Melissa Hyndes said, as she acknowledged the district's efforts to improve safety in schools.
BUDGET NEWS
The district confirmed that the $80,000 expenditure for the AEDs is coming out of the operating budget, which is in a healthy surplus, according to audited statements approved Tuesday.
During the last school year, SD43 notched a $111,000 surplus owning to increased investment revenue and strike savings during a three-day walk out.
As well, the board approved a $385,000 revised capital budget to add Meadowbrook elementary to a list of schools getting new playgrounds with funds provided by the provincial government.
The other schools are Citadel, Como Lake, Kwayhquitlum and Maillard middle schools, which will get $50,000 playgrounds, and reimbursement totaling more than $135,000 to Parent Advisory Councils for playgrounds at Anmore, Bramblewood, Leigh and Mary Hill elementary schools.
