BLACKSBURG, Va. 5/1/2010 9:04:58 PM
Virginia Tech Rescue Squad Expands Campus Safety Services
School Safety Partners spotlights award-winning student-run organization
The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad has expanded its Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Program serving campus buildings which experience high pedestrian traffic and where large gathering spaces exist. Eight of the university's busiest buildings now have a total of 19 public access AEDs, thanks to support from the Parent's Fund.
The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad is also helping university departments acquire AEDs for their areas, taking advantage of significantly discounted prices for AEDs offered on state contract.
The American Heart Association estimates that 446,000 people in the United States fall victim to sudden cardiac arrest annually. With each passing minute, chances of surviving decrease exponentially. Knowing how to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest, and how to properly treat it with Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), defibrillation, and activation of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can save a person's life.
When a person experiences a cardiac arrest, heart muscle dies as time passes. CPR helps defray this by circulating oxygen in the blood. Early defibrillation, within two-to-three minutes of cardiac arrest, has been shown to increase a victim's chance of survival by as much as 90 percent. This life saving shock can only be provided by an AED.
The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad regularly hosts classes in CPR and AED use, along with courses online at www.rescue.vt.edu.
The nationally recognized award-winning volunteer, student-run organization has provided emergency medical services to the university community for 41 years. The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad maintains four advanced life support ambulances and three specialized first response vehicles offering the highest level of patient care available in the commonwealth, with in-station crews ready for service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The agency relies heavily on private donations from members of the university and extended community to fund technological upgrades and capital improvements to better provide services to Virginia Tech at no cost.
For more reports on school safety best practices, visit School Safety Partners at www.SchoolSafetyPartners.org.
