[MSN] Howell library uses donation to buy defibrillator

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Howell library uses donation to buy defibrillator
By Jim Totten 
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS 

Libraries may be best known for broadening people's minds with books, but
the Howell Carnegie District Library has acquired a new tool that could save
lives, as well.
An automated external defibrillator has been placed in a hallway in the
library. The defibrillator is a portable device used to restore normal heart
rhythm to people in cardiac arrest.


   
Friends of the Howell Carnegie District Library donated $1,500 to purchase
the device.


"Having these available in public buildings is absolutely the right thing to
do," said Capt. Mike Randall, of the Howell Area Fire Department.
"Defibrillation is the only treatment for sudden cardiac arrest," Randall
said. "It's so simple to use if you are trained."

Library staff members have been trained in using the device.

"I see the community becoming more proactive with this type of equipment,"
Randall said.

Randall said the library is following a growing trend of public buildings
being equipped with the defibrillators.

He said the defibrillators are located in all Livingston County government
buildings, the Sheriff's Department, jail, Judicial Center building, all
Howell Public Schools and even some industrial companies. He's also seen the
lifesaving devices in shopping malls and grocery stores.

"People are really stepping up to the plate now and realizing what a
valuable tool it is," Randall said.

He said the devices are easy to use, automatically monitor the patient's
heart and tell the user what to do.

Initially, Randall said, groups were uneasy about getting the automated
devices because people feared getting sued if they used them in an improper
fashion.

As more groups have educated themselves about it, Randall said they see the
benefits of having the device. He said he's not aware
of any lawsuits as a result of
people using the automated
defibrillators.

"I can't stress how important it is," he said.

In a cardiac arrest situation, Randall said an individual starts to develop
brain damage within four to six minutes without CPR or use of a
defibrillator.

Randall said the Fire Department had only a handful of the devices for its
200-square-mile coverage area when he joined the department several years
ago.

He said the department made a big push and purchased 12 devices, which are
placed throughout the department's jurisdiction. Randall said some
firefighters carry defibrillators with them at all times because they are
often the first ones to arrive on scene at emergency situations.

"The whole purpose of the Friends is to help, as much as we can afford, to
create the best kind of place to be," said Ruby Glick, president of the
Friends of the Library.

"This kind of instrument makes our library a safe place for people to be."

Contact Daily Press & Argus reporter Jim Totten at (517) 548-7088 or at
jtotten at gannett.com.