AED in Oklahoma Schools

[emsmedic39]

Student helps enact defribrillator law

http://www.occc.edu/pioneer/Archives/Sept_1_2008/news6.html

Photo by Matt Bishop

State Rep. Wallace Collins, OCCC EMT student Rodney Johnson and Gov. Brad Henry meet after the signing of the Zachary Eckles and Luke Davis Automated Defibrillator in Schools Act on Aug. 20 at the State Capitol. The act mandates that automated external defibrillators be made available at schools if funding is available. This will make defibrillators available at athletic practices and competitions at schools. The act was prompted by the death of Zachary Eckles who died from cardiac arrest during soccer practice in 2006..By Matt Bishop, Staff Writer

Seven minutes may not seem like a lot of time, but when it comes to saving a life, it can be the difference between life or death for someone suffering cardiac arrest.

One tool that can be used to save lives is the defibrillator, an electronic device used to establish a normal heartbeat.

OCCC EMT student Rodney Johnson successfully lobbied the state legislature to have more de-fibrillators in public places, especially schools.

The Zachary Eckles and Luke Davis Automated External Defibrillators in Schools Act passed this year.

This act mandates that automated external defibrillators be made available at schools if funding is available.

This will make defib-rillators available at athletic practices and competitions at schools.

During cardiac arrest, every minute that passes dramatically decreases one’s chance of living, said Kathleen Treanor, whose son Zachary Eckles died from cardiac arrest during a soccer practice in 2006.

The dangers of sporting events brought the issue to light, Johnson said.

“This will save lives … The student EMTs at OCCC feel like this is one of the most important things we can do to be able to save lives,” he said.

Johnson said saving lives is a mission that all EMT students at OCCC have.

“The student organization has been fully involved in lobbying for getting the bill passed because it’s something we believe in.”

Johnson said it was a two-year process that had its hardships.

State Representative Wallace Collins (D-Norman) started carrying the bill in February 2007.

Politics got in the way of passing the bill, Collins said.

“Rodney made comments on this issue and I had seen on the news from time to time there would be an athlete somewhere who would die on the field,” Collins said.

He said he didn’t think anyone would be against it because it protects everyone involved with school activities.

“Little did I know it would take two years for the bill to pass,” Collins said.

He said leaders such as Lance Cargill and Chris Binge would not allow the bill to be heard through the House of Representatives.

Majority floor leader Greg Piatt even had the bill scheduled to be heard but changed his mind on the last day, “due to a personal problem with me,” Collins said.

In February 2008, Luke Davis, a 12-year-old from the small town of Dickson, Okla., collapsed during a basketball game.

There were no defib-rillators at the game so he was flown to a hospital in Dallas, but it was too late.

“I hate that it took so long and something like our accident to get more people involved and motivated to do things,” said Luke’s mother Kristie Davis.

“[Johnson and Collins] have worked very hard on getting this done and spent a lot of time getting people involved and aware.”

Both mothers hope having defibrillators in schools will increase knowledge and awareness of cardiac arrests.

“When you mention cardiac arrest, you think of an older person,” Treanor said.

“You don’t think of a younger person but it happens every day.”

Johnson said the next step for the OCCC Student Emergency Medical Technician Association is to raise money to ensure there are defibrillators in all secondary schools in the Oklahoma City area.

“We would like to see friends of our current students protected also,” Johnson said.

The student organization sees it has a responsibility, not only to the profession, but also to the public at large, Johnson said.

Defibrillators have been on campus with the Student Emergency medical Technician Association, and the Safety and Security office for several years.

Trained personnel are not necessary for use, Johnson said.

However, OCCC Safety and Security are trained in using them.

“Our goal is to do anything and everything we can to save lives,” Johnson said.

Staff Writer Matt Bishop can be reached at SeniorWriter@occc.edu.

[Ridryder 911]

Congrat's Rodney on a job well done!. Guess, I''ll be seeing you again in the legislative halls...

R/r 911