Automated exteral defibrillators: there when you need them

Over the summer, the campus became a safer place . . . for victims of a heart attack.

Lifesaving devices called Automated External Defibrillators – or AEDs – were installed in a dozen buildings, courtesy of the University Police Department’s Otter Public Access AED Program.

AEDs have proven to save lives when used on a heart attack victim within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest.

“The goal of the university is to provide a safe and healthy campus for our community members,” said Dick Bower, CSUMB’s emergency manager. “This new program takes ‘safe and healthy’ to a new level with trained people and modern technology in place to offer rapid, effective treatment to heart attack victims.”

They are housed in marked white cabinets in common areas of these buildings:

• Otter Sports Center • Police Department • Alumni and Visitors Center • Dining Commons • Student Center • Chapman Science Academic Center • Tanimura & Antle Library • World Theater • University Center • Osher Lifelong Learning Institute • Information Technology • Student Services The AEDs are easy to use, requiring only three steps to hook up and deliver the shock. Training is available on request.

Training is also offered through monthly First Aid/CPR/AED classes available for free to the campus community. The classes are offered in cooperation with American Medical Response, a regional ambulance company, and CalFIRE.

“We thank the university administration, our partners in Facilities Services and Operations, American Medical Response and CalFIRE for their assistance in making this program available,” Bower said.

For more information about the AED program or to schedule a training session, contact Bower at 582-3589 or dbower@csumb.edu.