I'm re-posting a question brought up by Kirk Bagg. He asks:
"Now let's talk about why we don't have an AED. If we don't have one why bother spending our time training on one? Why can't we get Area MAnagement to buy one?"
My question is: What's an AED? Your thoughts?

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Answers

I can not answer why the ski area has not yet purchased an AED. That is an issue the Board should take up with Joe Bruin.

As to what an AED is, it is an Automated External Defibrilator, used to assist patients who are in Cardiac Arrest due to ventricular arrythmia.

Why learn? Well for starters, your CPR certification as a Basic Healthcare Provider requires it. Secondly, you may be somewhere else that actually has one available (like in an airport, casino, etc) and be the most immediate person available to use it. It is not difficult to learn, and being knowledgeable about them is the best preparation in case you ever need to use one.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 1999

"Even after decades of advances in CPR techniques, public education, and emergency cardiac care, sudden cardiac death from life- threatening cardiac arrhythmias affects 350,000 people in the US each year. The primary electrical conduction disturbance seen in pre- hospital cardiac arrest is either ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF)...." "Intravenous amiodarone for ventricular arrhythmias" Gonzalez, Resuscitation 39(1988) 33-42

Research has clearly shown that the most effective treatment of VT/VF is early defibrillation with electrotherapy. While it may be unlikley that a patient will have a cardiac arrest while on your shift at Mt. Brighton, it is certaily possible. Consider grandma and grandpa coming to the hill to watch their grandchild ski, or an individual with pre-existing cardiovascular disease who is trying to get back into shape and pushes the boundries to far. As first responders we need to be prepared for all possible medical emergencies.

Automated external defibrillators are an easy to learn method for first responders such as ski patrollers to provide early electrotherapy to individuals who may otherwise die without defibrillation.

Michael G. Millin, MD

-- Anonymous, November 03, 1999

Ya want the answer that concerns you most??? Your CPR card WIL NOT BE RENEWED WITHOUT AED TRAINING!!!!!

As of last year, AED training is a required portion of AHA CPR for healthcare professionals.

As the other notes say, it's one of those things that will save lives.

C'mon now, it wasn't that painful was it? ;-)

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2000

I am bothered by the fact that we do not have one. I think it is more important for us to get an AED than pay for half of a new four wheel vehicle. I am considering proposing a new fundraiser for the 'sole purpose' of buying an AED. We can get a new one for about $2,500 - $3,000. I have seen them quite regularly on eBay. Is anyone behind me? I have already talked to Dick T. about my feeling that this is important. The use of our fundraising $$ is one reason I will probably not participate in the Ski Swap next year.

-- Anonymous, December 02, 2000