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AED in the News

A heartfelt donation Defibrillator unit could make life or death difference

By Catherine O’Hara, Review Staff

Madison McCune, a student at Beverly Central School in Flamborough, loves drawing, painting and doing arts and crafts. But what makes the five-year-old different from her peers is her heart condition: long QT syndrome.

Diagnosed at age three, Madison has a hereditary disease causing her heart to sometimes beat at an irregular rhythm. When that happens, explained her mom, Christine, those who are with her have only two minutes to shock the young girl’s heart with a defibrillator.

Diagnosed at age three, Madison has a hereditary disease causing her heart to sometimes beat at an irregular rhythm. When that happens, explained her mom, Christine, those who are with her have only two minutes to shock the young girl’s heart with a defibrillator.

“Sometimes, your heart will beat a bit faster. Madison’s heart can’t recuperate, so her heart would go into what they call an irregular rhythm,” said Christine.

If a shock isn’t administered within two minutes, Madison’s rare cardiac condition could result in death or irreversible brain damage, she noted.

During the festive season, the McCunes received their own defibrillator.An emergency medical services staff member from the Halton Region visited the McCune home to provide the family, their relatives and friends with basic training on how to operate the unit.

The training, recalled Christine, was simple and the instructions were straightforward. Since receiving the defibrillator, the family has – thankfully – not had to use it.

But for peace of mind, Christine and her husband Noble requested Beverly Central School be equipped with a unit.

Originally, the family suggested Madison take her own device to school. However, lugging the device to and from school would cause wear and tear on the unit, something “we definitely don’t want to have happen,” said Christine.

Following the publication of an article in The Hamilton Spectator last week, the owner of Berrn Consulting Ltd., Russell King, was quick to offer his skills and services to help the McCunes.

Operating out of Dundas, Berrn Consulting provides training for Public Access Defibrillators and CPR education. Donating a ZOLL AED Plus defibrillator to Beverly Central School was an easy decision for King to make.

“If it can save somebody’s life then it’s worth it,” he said.

The unit, explained the business owner, is an easy-to-use, lifesaving kit equipped with scissors to cut clothing if necessary, a mouth barrier to protect the person administering CPR, a towelette and a razor to shave off any excess hair on a person’s chest.

“The unit is the only one of its kind,” noted King of the ZOLL AED Plus. “It gives you CPR feedback. The machine tells you topush harder; it tells you that you are giving good compressions.”

In other words, the defibrillator that was donated to Beverly Central School walks an individual through the eight steps required to save someone’s life.

If a person is able to assemble a piece of IKEA furniture by following the instructions, then King is positive that person would be able to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

“I can teach a Grade 5 student to use this machine, proficiently, in 20 minutes,” he stressed.

When she first appealed to the school for a Public Access Defibrillator, Christine explained that she knew the school would eventually be equipped with a unit, but was shocked it happened so quickly.

Since two staff members at the rural school currently hold first aid training, Madison was able to bring her own defibrillator to school. “Right then and there, that was a comfort, knowing that it was with her. Hopefully, she never has to use it,” said Christine.

But King’s support doesn’t end with the donation of the defibrillator. Berrn Consulting also promised to provide staff at the facility with training. King also believes that an information session for parents of children enrolled at the facility will also be beneficial.

“We have offered a parent information evening for parents to feel more comfortable with the unit and to find out more information,” said King. “We would like to give them enough information for them to feel comfortable enough to grab the machine off the wall and help somebody,” in case of an emergency.

However, he added, “I’d rather have them sit on the wall, get checked and collect dust instead of using them.”

While Madison can participate in her school’s gym class activities, she must take care not to overexert herself. This, noted Christine, could send her heart into an irregular rhythm. “There are a few things that we have to look out for, but the majority of the time, she can play like the other kids can.”

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board and Beverly Central School officials are currently formulating a policy on the use of the defibrillator and organizing the training session for staff.

The AED donated by Berrn Consulting Ltd. has been installed in a cabinet, fastened to the wall in the centre of the school, which happens to be steps away from Madison’s Senior Kindergarten class.