Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsMonday, October 23, 2006 5:13 PM CDT
Comments Comments (3) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
Normal West gets state grant for AED
By Paul Swiech
pswiech@pantagraph.com
Advertisement

NORMAL -- Normal Community West High School is the first McLean County recipient of a state grant that pays for half of the cost of a life-saving automated external defibrillator (AED) for public institutions.

“It’s just great,” athletic director Stan Lewis said Monday after a program at the school where Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn presented school officials with a ceremonial check for $497.50.

Quinn encouraged other public schools, park districts, community colleges and public universities to apply for Heartsaver AED grants.

“We want to make sure that each and every institution has at least one defibrillator and that large institutions like this (school) have more than one,” Quinn said.

Defibrillators are about the size of a laptop computer. They can detect abnormal heart rhythm and can direct a rescuer to deliver a shock to restore normal heart function. AEDs can save a life if used properly within three minutes of sudden cardiac arrest.

State law requires public schools, park districts, community colleges, universities and private fitness centers to have AEDs by 2009, Quinn said. The Heartsaver AED program can help public institutions comply with the law.

Since the program began in August, 222 grant applications from public institutions have been approved, Quinn said.

Lewis said Normal West has one defibrillator on the north side of the building and one on the south side. A portable defibrillator travels with the schools’ sports teams and Lewis said the grant money will be used the purchase a second portable defibrillator.

Quinn also presented an award to Dylan Ferguson, 18, an Illinois State University freshman from Colfax. When Ferguson was 16 years old and umpiring a baseball game for 9 and 10 years olds, he used a defibrillator to save the life of a boy who suffered sudden cardiac arrest after he was struck in the chest with a battled ball.

“I’m not a hero,” Ferguson said. He said he just did what anyone would have done — if they had the proper AED and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training.

Scott Vogel, of the Bloomington-based American Red Cross of the Heartland, estimated that there are 260 public-access defibrillators in McLean County. Vogel said he doesn’t know how many more are needed by 2009 so the county will comply with state law.

Michelle Brown, Red Cross director of health safety and community services, said Red Cross is trying to train as many people as possible in CPR and AED use.

Peggy Jones of Bloomington, American Heart Association senior director for state health alliances and cultural health initiatives, said AED awareness has increased in McLean County since an AED program began here in 2001.

McLean County EMS records indicate that since 2003, public access defibrillators in McLean County have been used seven times. Three lives have been saved.

Take a look
Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, right, presented an award to Dylan Ferguson, 18, an Illinois State University freshman from Colfax, during a press conference Monday Oct. 23, at Normal Community West High School. Ferguson used an automated external defibrillator on a 10-year-old boy, restoring his normal heart rhythm. Normal West was the first recipient of a state grant created to help public institutions by AED machines. (The Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY)
Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 3 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

j wrote on Oct 24, 2006 3:02 PM:

" There is no such word in the dictionary describing "battled" by a ball, or any other noun. So, what is the ball being accused of? Did the ball do this on it's own? Tape @11. "

j wrote on Oct 24, 2006 2:33 PM:

" I guess the Pantagraph has decided not to post my question as to what a "battled" ball is. Too many innuendoes I guess. 9th paragraph of the story. "

Ridgeview teacher wrote on Oct 24, 2006 8:27 AM:

" Dylan is one of the best young men I've ever known. Congratulations, Dylan, for a job well done! "
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy