University of Memphis students, faculty and staff are morelikely to survive a sudden cardiac arrest thanks to TheUniversity's Automatic External Defibrillator program.
"Thankfully, we haven't had to use one yet," said Derek Myers, Uof M deputy director Police Services.
Although the devices have not been used in the year since theprogram began, University officials said those trained to use theAEDs stand ready to assist cardiac arrest victims and anyone havingany type of medical emergency.
That's because defibrillation, the process of deliveringelectric shock to return the heart to a normal rhythm, is anessential part in increasing the survivability of cardiac arrestvictims, according to research by the American HeartAssociation.
The American Heart Association recommends AEDs be availablewherever large numbers of people congregate like airports, sportsstadiums, malls and college campuses.
"It stands to reason that the more AEDs available, the greaterthe chance of survival" for victims of sudden cardiac arrest, saidStan Gibert, American Heart Association-Memphis communicationsdirector.
Only 5 percent of Americans who suffer a sudden cardiac arrestsurvive because early CPR and early defibrillation are notavailable, Gibert added.
It's because U of M officials were concerned about thepossibility of someone on campus having a cardiac emergency and nothaving immediate access to essential early cardiac care that theyimplemented an AED program, said Wayne Capooth, U of M StudentHealth Center medical director.
"The devices are so failsafe and so prevalent that not havingone (on campus) became almost legally malfeasant," he said.
Also, the surge in non-traditional age students made the needfor a U of M AED program a necessity, Capooth said.
In fall 2002, The University acquired 11 AEDs and trained U of Mpersonnel on their use.
The University has five CPR/AED instructors certified by theAmerican Heart Association. In addition to those instructors, U ofM staff in the Student Recreational Center, Student Health Center,Physical Plant and the Murphy Athletic Complex are trained in CPRand the proper use of the defibrillators.
Capooth, who oversees The University's AED program, said thedevices are located in buildings where people are very active andin each campus police cruiser.
So far, no one has needed to use the devices. However, despitetheir lack of use in emergency situations, the devices are checkeddaily to ensure they operate properly when used.
In a controlled environment, like The U of M campus,survivability increases dramatically when AEDs are available,Gibert said.
"For every minute the heart is not beating the chance ofsurvival decreases by 10 percent, Gibert said, adding that "underno circumstances" should CPR be stopped when waiting for help likean AED.
"CPR is doing the work of the heart and lungs," he said. "Itkeeps the blood pumping to the heart and vital organs."
Myers said CPR should always be continued while waiting for U ofM police. Police Services have less than a two-minute response timeon campus, and each cruiser is equipped with an AED.
Although CPR should never be stopped when awaiting emergencyassistance, the only thing that will restart a normal heart rhythmis an electric shock.
"Its not a plumbing problem like a blocked artery that stops theheart from beating," Gibert said. "It's an electrical problem."
