AEDs are Automated External Defibrillators to Help When Someone Goes Into Sudden Cardiac Arrest

By Jon “Ferris” Meredith

WAYNE, NJ – If you’re a football fan, even just a casual one, you likely closely followed the Damar Hamlin story. He’s the Buffalo Bills safety collapsed on the field after he went into sudden cardiac arrest. It was a scary moment for his family and friends and for all of us.

He was 24 years old, in top shape and seemed perfectly healthy that day. But something lurked quietly in his heart.

The American Heart Association website states that sudden cardiac arrest “occurs suddenly and often without warning. It happens when an electrical malfunction in the heart causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). With its pumping action disrupted, the heart can’t pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. When this occurs, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death occurs within minutes if the victim doesn’t receive treatment.”

Luckily for Hamlin a full medical staff was on standby to save his life.

But what about in Wayne? Sudden cardiac arrest could happen anytime, though luckily, it’s a very rare event.

The Wayne PAL, seeing the need – and without being asked – stepped up and purchased two AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators). One for the Alps Road athletic fields and another for the fields at Dave Waks Memorial Park on Barbour Pond Drive.

“We have four AEDs at the Wayne PAL,” said Director Steve Schiffman in an interview with TAPinto Wayne. “One at the front of the building, another in the back, one in our daycare and a portable one for practices and games.”

Schiffman said that it was the Damar Hamlin situation that triggered the realization for the need at these fields. One of their lacrosse coaches pointed out the need and Schiffman and the PAL stepped up and made it happen.

“We are offering CPR and AED trainings for all of our coaches,” Schiffman said. “The safety of our children is of the utmost importance for us.”

AEDs absolutely do work – and have worked in Wayne. In 2019, a Wayne man was saved after a sudden cardiac arrest because an AED was nearby.

The Red Cross website says that an AED is “a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.”

“Our partnership with the Wayne PAL provides so much for the residents of our town,” said Mayor Chris Vergano. “With this donation of AEDs, Steve [Schiffman] is, once again, showing his commitment to Wayne and all of us who live here.”

Let’s hope that these devices are never needed, but if that day does come and the device helps save a life – there will be the Wayne PAL to thank.

Wayne PAL Donates AEDs for Public Fields in Wayne | Wayne, NJ News TAPinto