By Kevin Doherty
Sentinel & Enterprise
WESTMINSTER, Mass. — Residents don’t have to be doctors to figure out how to use the new automated defibrillator at Town Hall. They just have to do what it tells them.
The town’s Board of Health received a Medtronic Lifepack CR Plus portable defibrillator, which rattles off instructions to users in case of an emergency, according to the town’s Health Agent Elizabeth Swedberg.
“Call for help,” states the automated defibrillator, as the pack is opened. “Remove all clothing from the patient’s chest and follow the directions on the pictures on the pad. Pull the red tab ...”
The machine then guides users through the entire process of using the defibrillator on a heart-attack victim.
“The great thing with this machine is that anyone can use it,” said Swedberg during an interview Tuesday afternoon, closing up the defibrillator pack to stop the automated voice. “Not only does it show you exactly what to do, but it tells you what not to do, too.”
Dr. Patricia Glover, chairwoman of the Board of Health, said the defibrillator is used to administer an electronic shock to a cardiac-arrest victim’s heart in an attempt to restore a normal pulse.
“Four minutes into a cardiac arrest, the brain will shut down, so literally every minute counts,” said Glover. “We could really save a life right here in Town Hall by having this machine.”
The defibrillator, which had been purchased through the federal Anti-terrorism and Emergency Response program, costs about $3,000, according to Swedberg.
“I thought it was wise to go after this grant because it’s important to have a defibrillator at Town Hall,” said Swedberg. “Plus, it’s portable, so we can take it with us during an emergency.”
There are defibrillators at Westminster Elementary School and Oakmont Regional High School, the town’s designated emergency centers, added Swedberg.
Although the automated machine takes you through the process step by step, Swedberg said Town Hall employees will still get formal instruction from ambulance personnel on how to use it. The machine will be placed in a case near the Clerk’s Office, in case of an emergency.
“It’s good to have, but it’s one of those things that hopefully we never have to use,” said Selectman Joe Flanagan.
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