Cedar Catholic receives AED from Faith Regional Hospital

HARTINGTON — Cedar Catholic High School is a recipient of an Automated External Defibrillator through a grant from Faith Regional Hospital, Norfolk.

Faith Regional Hospital, Norfolk, has been presenting area schools and businesses with AEDs and has spent the past few months sending a team across the area to make deliveries.

The team that delivered the device included Faith Regional Health Services’ cardiac care coordinator Jenny Simmons, RN, and manager of cardiac services, Kim Long, RN.

An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a portable electronic device that is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest by identifying life-threatening heart rhythms.

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly. Often, this is caused by ventricular fibrillation, an abnormality in the heart’s electrical system. When this occurs, blood stops pumping to the brain, heart and rest of the vital organs. Bystanders who promptly begin CPR and defibrillation can keep oxygenated blood flowing through the body and preserve life.

AEDs are, by design, easy to use. By following an AED’s simple, clear voice, bystanders can perform the crucial steps that can save a life.

However, the biggest hurdle for many schools and businesses who don’t have an AED, is cost. The minimum cost for an AED is around $1200. That is why Faith Regional launched its AED Community Initiative in 2019. The goal of this initiative is to raise funds to equip schools, businesses and organizations across the region with an AED if in need.

This life-saving device is being kept in the school lobby to provide easy access to students, faculty, and guests.