HICKORY, NC – May 4, 2015 – Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has once again helped fill
the need for portable automated external defibrillators (AED) in area
schools. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the use of
AEDs dramatically lowers the risk of death from sudden cardiac arrest
(SCA) and CVMC equipped the students and staff of Challenger Early College
High School at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) with an AED and
providing training for its use.
“When the heart unexpectedly stops, electric shock administered by
an AED is very effective at restoring it to a normal rhythm,” said
Carl Becker, CVMC Director Heart and Vascular Services. “We believe
that putting AEDs in schools helps improve the odds of surviving SCA by
extending access to life-saving equipment and empowering trained personnel
to initiate shock therapy while emergency personnel are on the way.”
Last week, Challenger Early College High School at Catawba Valley Community
College (CVCC) became the most recent school in the community to receive
an AED provided by CVMC. The portable device will travel with Challenger
athletes and be available for use on campus by trained students, staff
or spectators. Over the last five years, CVMC has donated more than six
AEDs to high schools and middle schools as well as provided training to staff.