Volusia County high schools get new AEDs to increase student-athlete safety

The new automated external defibrillators were purchased thanks to a partnership with AdventHealth.

By Jarleene Almenas
| 12:40 p.m. November 23, 2020

Brad Montgomery, Kelly Amy, Kelley Lemon, Erik Nason, Jeff Perlo, Rachelle Shipp, Carl Persis, Joe Rawlings and Lary Beal. Courtesy photo

Ormond Beach Observer
News

Each of Volusia County's 10 high schools recently received three new automated external defibrillators as part of an expanded program to keep student-athletes safe during practices and games, according to a press release.

This comes after a Seabreeze High School cheerleader suffered a cardiac episode back in October. The school's resource officer, Iriabeth Lee, performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

Jeff Perlow, of ZOLL Medical, demonstrates how to use the AED to School Board Member Carl Persis at the first delivery at Seabreeze High School. Courtesy photo

The new AEDs were purchased with $46,000 of this year's AdventHealth contribution to Volusia County Schools. This is the third year of the five-year $2 million partnership.

“The AED is a lifesaver,"said Erik Nason of AdventHealth Sports Medicine, in the press release. "When someone goes down with a cardiac issue, it will analyze the heart. It will walk the individual through the steps of CPR and shock, as needed. So this is very important."

All high schools already have at least one AED on campus, but the district stated it is committed to increasing access to these devices. Two of the new AEDs will be portable for use on the fields and the courts, and one will be mounted on the wall of each school's gym. They will also be available to use for lessons.

In addition, the press release states that the passage of the Zach Martin Act in July now requires coaches to have access to an AED at every athletic practice and game, as well as requires ongoing training.