Findlay, Ohio, Dec. 19, 2000 — Blanchard Valley Health Association has donated four automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) to The University of Findlay. The defibrillators are valued at $3,500 each.

Eight individuals from the University will undergo a six-hour training session on how to use the AEDs after the first of the year. The defibrillator units will be located in four key buildings on campus – Croy Physical Education Center, Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex, Cosiano Health Center and the Security Office.

The American Heart Association estimates that nearly 1,000 Americans suffer from sudden cardiac arrest each day. Nearly 95 percent of those individuals die, in many cases because there is no fast and effective means to shock the heart back into normal rhythm. The purpose of the defibrillator is to shock the heart and correct the irregular heartbeat.

The American Heart Association claims that 20,000 or more deaths could be prevented each year if AEDs were more widely available.

The defibrillators are easy to use and maintain and are lightweight and rugged. The American Heart Association says that nearly anyone can be trained to use the AED, and there is an effort underway to include AED training with typical CPR training.