The use of Automated External Defibrillators can save a life.

In view of this, the St. Tammany Parish School Board instituted a pilot program in high schools this year this year that will train school employees on how to use an AED.

The grass roots effort began with coaches, trainers, principals and other parish leaders concerned for the safety of students, faculty and staff on campus. This then prompted a committee to study the effectiveness of AEDs in schools. In order for employees to receive proper training in the use of the equipment, Chief Merrick Tassin of Fire District 4 enlisted the expertise of Marty Latino, chief of training and safety, and training officers Ken Salzer, David Murden and Robert Hecker to conduct training for school employees.

A resolution acknowledging and thanking the first responders was passed unanimously at the St. Tammany Parish School Board meeting last Thursday night.

The resolution states “the training...has ensured the success of this pilot program and enabled the school system to offer highly trained individuals with CPR and AED skills at every high school.”

Noted in the resolution was the partnership of Merrick’s team with the school system that ensure the safety and security of all who attend, work and/or visit the eight high school campuses.

There are at least four AED units in each high school, with Fontainebleau having seven; Covington High has six units, Lakeshore, Mandeville and Northshore high schools each have five, and Pearl River, Salmen and Slidell high schools each have four.

Almost 250 employees have been trained in the use of the AED and Tassin said the training would continue. Tassin thanked the board for their recognition.

“This particular program needed the expertise of trainers,” he said. “It is a pleasure and an honor to accept this.”

Tassin also expressed the cooperation and continued involvement of his department in training personnel in order to save lives.

The board adopted the pilot program in the spring. Machines in use are Cardiac Science Powerheart G3, that costs $1,346.62 each and are portable. Many civic and other organizations have donated machines to the schools. The machine is designed to detect normal heart rhythms and if one is detected, the batteries will not charge.

The use of the machine would increase survival rates of a sudden cardiac arrest and include both an audio and visual prompt system for use.

The machine is not designed to take the place of emergency assistance by EMS or medical professionals, but it would allow resuscitation and CPR until EMS personnel could arrive and take over. The units are located throughout the buildings in secure locations.