Today Mayor Hall and Hall Ambulance donated eight automated external defibrillators to Cal State Bakersfield so that the school will have one at every athletic facility.
“By having people trained with the equipment, chances of survival are much greater to be able to access that patient immediately with the AED equipment,” Mayor Hall said.
Having to use a defibrillator isn't something you ask for, but the faculty of Garces Memorial High School will tell you that it's better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have one.
Last October, sophomore Joshua Thai collapsed at the center of the football field during band practice and went into cardiac arrest. His life was saved by one of the campus’ AED devices and an alert and prepared staff.
“Apparently my heart stopped beating,” Thai said. “It saved my life, so it’s pretty important.”
The faculty also spoke to the importance of having defibrillators installed on the campus.
“I think it’s something like that that just gives that extra chance,” said Justin Finch, the teacher who performed CPR and helped use the AED on Joshua.
“If an AED or someone who has that training is provided, it’ll give those people a chance to at least be able to prolong whatever the circumstance may be.”
CSUB coaches and staff have been trained to use defibrillators and will likely be retraining this summer.
