Students driving effort to place defib machines region-wide

by David Rauzi
Editor, Idaho County Free Press

GRANGEVILLE - "Folks, this is up to you," said Backcountry Medic member Nick Albers of Orofino.

The effort is for placement of automatic external defibrillators (AED) in schools throughout the region. At a Grangeville meeting last week, Albers emphasized the need for cooperation and coordination in reaching across boundaries and in planning for long-term sustainability. It's a serious proposal, but the effort to lead it is truly juvenile.

Last Thursday, Albers spoke to a gathering of nearly 40 interested students and administrators, representing seven schools from three counties, on organizing the effort which has an "ambitious goal" of placing 22 AEDs by June 4.

"Hopefully, what you're doing today will focus where you're going," said Grangeville High School Principal Gary Stears, who helped coordinate the organizational meeting at the SGH Soltman Center. "The efforts you put in now will pay dividends," hopefully not soon, he added, but at times when they're most needed.

Last Thursday started the ball rolling with students meeting their counterparts at other schools, and in working on fund-raising ideas to both purchase necessary equipment and sustain long-term needs and goals. Participating were high school students and administrators from Highland, Nezperce, Clearwater Valley, Kamiah, Timberline, Grangeville, and middle and high school students from Orofino. Primary in this effort is the AED, which is a portable user-friendly device that analyzes the patient's heart's rhythm and, if necessary, advises the user to deliver a resuscitating shock.

Providing immediate aid in the event of cardiac arrest is critical, according to Albers. A patient's chances of survival decrease by 7 to 10 percent for each minute without care. This group's initial goal is $30,000, which may not be so daunting at first glance as well more than half has already been promised - 11 AEDs are pledged from St. Mary's, Clearwater Valley and Syringa General hospitals, and four will come through a Community-Wide Health Network Development grant procured by EMS LINC, a region-wide association of EMS personnel from Lewis, Idaho, Nez Perce and Clearwater counties. Funds raised are to also go toward ongoing unit maintenance and resupply. Training in CPR and AED use for school staff will be supplied by EMS LINC members.

While a region-wide effort, origins of this push for AEDs are with last month's collapse and resuscitation of Orofino High School basketball player Justin Haag during a game in Lewiston. Originally, the effort started to provide AEDs just in Orofino's Joint School District 171, according to Albers, but the thought progressed to the needs of the overall region and the grant was written to reflect that. So in their planning, students were advised by Albers to look not only at schools but down the road at businesses and other community areas where AED placement would be needed. As much as generating ideas for fund-raising options, last Thursday's meeting was for students to get to know each other and learn to work together. It also emphasized that while adults would be there for support, this is student-run and will succeed or fail depending on the work they put into it. "We're standing behind you," he said, "but it's your game."

Photo: Nick Albers (center, standing) provides input during a brainstorming session last Thursday. Students from across the region will be working on raising funds to purchase AEDs for area schools. (Photo courtesy David Rauzi, Idaho County Free Press)

David Rauzi, editor
Idaho County Free Press
www.idahocountyfreepress.com
drauzi@eaglenewspapers.com