McCord Bend Completes Installation Of Lifesaving Device
May 27, 2020
This automated external defibrillator device (AED) is installed outside the community building in the village of McCord Bend. Funding was provided by Skaggs Foundation.
Isaac Estes-Jones
Residents of the Village of McCord Bend now have access to live saving equipment in the event of a heart attack or other cardiac event. An automated external defibrillator (AED) was recently installed outside of village offices. According to Mandi Carr, trustee chairperson for the village board, funding came from the Skaggs Community Foundation.
“I’m a nurse, so I know how important every minute is when someone is having a heart attack,” said Carr.
The device will speak out loud and walk helpers through placing the defibrillation pads on the person having a heart attack. The machine will work to keep the victim’s heart going until EMTs can arrive.
“Down here, on a good day, it can take 20 minutes for the ambulance to arrive,” Carr said. “We want to do whatever we can to keep people safe.”
As soon as the external cover is lifted, the device dials 911 and begins speaking through the procedures necessary to use it. “Within moments of lifting this lid, you are talking to a 911 dispatcher,” said Carr.
As an added safeguard, the machine also takes several photos as the cover is lifted and continues to do so every few seconds until help arrives.
“We are lucky. Since putting this up [just before the COVID-19 pandemic], we haven’t had anyone messing around with it or anything. Branson Landing has had a couple of these get stolen,” she said.
“Every minute counts, and we hope this will help keep residents of the Bend safe and their hearts beating, should the worst happen.
“While we were working through the grant process to get this,” Carr says, “someone in one of the houses near the community building had a heart attack.”
As part of the grant that paid for the machine, the village trustees have been training residents in CPR. “We’ve held a few trainings so far. I have a video and some worksheets that we go over to make sure you understand what to do,” Carr said.
Additionally, the village trustees have been serving meals every weekend to the residents of McCord Bend. “It started out as a fund raiser to purchase a tornado siren for the village,” said Carr, “But, with everything going on, we are just glad to be able to keep offering a meal. There are so many down here that really need it.”
At this point, each event is basically breaking even, with enough donations coming in to cover food for the next week’s meal. For now, that’s more than enough for Carr.
“We can finish raising the money for the storm siren when everything opens back up more. Right now, I’m just glad to be able to help out,” she said.
Residents of the Village of McCord Bend now have access to live saving equipment in the event of a heart attack or other cardiac event. An automated external defibrillator (AED) was recently installed outside of village offices. According to Mandi Carr, trustee chairperson for the village board, funding came from the Skaggs Community Foundation.
“I’m a nurse, so I know how important every minute is when someone is having a heart attack,” said Carr.
The device will speak out loud and walk helpers through placing the defibrillation pads on the person having a heart attack. The machine will work to keep the victim’s heart going until EMTs can arrive.
“Down here, on a good day, it can take 20 minutes for the ambulance to arrive,” Carr said. “We want to do whatever we can to keep people safe.”
As soon as the external cover is lifted, the device dials 911 and begins speaking through the procedures necessary to use it. “Within moments of lifting this lid, you are talking to a 911 dispatcher,” said Carr.
As an added safeguard, the machine also takes several photos as the cover is lifted and continues to do so every few seconds until help arrives.
“We are lucky. Since putting this up [just before the COVID-19 pandemic], we haven’t had anyone messing around with it or anything. Branson Landing has had a couple of these get stolen,” she said.
“Every minute counts, and we hope this will help keep residents of the Bend safe and their hearts beating, should the worst happen.
“While we were working through the grant process to get this,” Carr says, “someone in one of the houses near the community building had a heart attack.”
As part of the grant that paid for the machine, the village trustees have been training residents in CPR. “We’ve held a few trainings so far. I have a video and some worksheets that we go over to make sure you understand what to do,” Carr said.
Additionally, the village trustees have been serving meals every weekend to the residents of McCord Bend. “It started out as a fund raiser to purchase a tornado siren for the village,” said Carr, “But, with everything going on, we are just glad to be able to keep offering a meal. There are so many down here that really need it.”
At this point, each event is basically breaking even, with enough donations coming in to cover food for the next week’s meal. For now, that’s more than enough for Carr.
“We can finish raising the money for the storm siren when everything opens back up more. Right now, I’m just glad to be able to help out,” she said.