A $10,000 donation by Lucy Harrell will buy three automatic external defibrillators, renew batteries in existing AEDs and provide for uniform signage about the devices that “shock” a faltering heartbeat back into rhythm.
There are about seven AEDs at locations around town, including places like the Senior Center, American Legion Hall and U.S. border station.
New locations may include the post office lobby, Chilkat Center and a yet-undetermined site out Mud Bay Road, said ambulance captain Al Badgley.
The donation also may buy new batteries for existing devices, which cost up to $500, and pads, which cost $50 per set. “You need two sets of pads in each (AED),” Badgley said.
The devices have been used twice locally, but have never delivered a shock. They come with an electronic brain that detects erratic heartbeats and only sends an impulse when needed. “Two times here there was no shock advised,” Badgley said. AEDs won’t trigger a shock if no pulse is needed, he said.
New AEDs cost about $1,600 for a mid-range model.
The models being purchased work in conjunction with the defibrillator used by the ambulance crew, Badgley said. “They can plug into ours so we can tell if we’re getting no heartbeat or an irregular heartbeat. We can see what electrical activity the heart is doing.”