AED Awareness

The recent cardiac arrest of a professional football player, viewed by millions on Monday Night Football, reminds us that medical emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time and to people whom you least expect to need care.

To provide the NOVA community with lifesaving tools for a person experiencing cardiac arrest, NOVA OEMS has provided AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) on every floor of every campus building and maintains the AED Program. In some of the larger college facilities AEDs have been placed in multiple locations, typically being positioned close to an entry way. At all AED locations OEMS has included a tourniquet in case of an emergency involving blood loss. The placement of the white boxes containing the AEDs is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure rapid and convenient access.

AEDs are easy to use. Upon opening the case, the machine will “talk” you through the steps you must follow. Both NOVA Police and the Office of Emergency Management and Safety provide AED and Stop the Bleed (tourniquet) training. Keep an eye out on the Daily Flyer for upcoming training dates or feel free to contact Police Sgt. Tony Ong at tong2@nvcc.edu or OEMS Exercise and Training Administrator Rob Corwin at rcorwin@nvcc.edu for training opportunities.

Submitted by:
Robert Corwin, OEMS-Training Coord., RCorwin@nvcc.edu