North Moore, Pinecrest and Union Pines high schools each have an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) available to their athletic departments, thanks to a donation by the Sandhills Emergency Seminar.

Representatives of the three schools along with other people integral in bringing the project to fruition gathered at Sandhills Community College recently. They viewed a demonstration given by a representative of the supplier, Cardiac Science. At the end of the meeting, a member of each school’s athletic department took possession of one of the units.

AEDs are used to help victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). SCA is a
condition in which the heartbeat stops suddenly and unexpectedly,
interrupting the flow of blood to the body and the brain.

The victim experiences a loss of blood pressure, pulse, consciousness and finally the ability to breathe. The condition is almost always fatal without intervention.

A blow to the chest can stop a normal heart making SCA a risk for athletes involved in contact sports. The user-friendly units are designed to return a heart to beating at its normal rhythm.

Among those on hand for the presentation of the equipment were Kenny Holder, representing Sandhills Emergency Seminar, Wade Garner, a person instrumental in getting the project under way, and Jayne Heisig, the Emergency Services Coordinator at Sandhills Community College.

“This fills a vital need in terms of emergency equipment,” says Bob Henkel, an athletic trainer for the Moore County schools and a member of Pinehurst Rescue. “This shows there are people in Moore County willing to participate in the support of athletics in Moore County.”

Reprinted with permission, The Pilot, Southern Pines, NC