OUR VIEW: Lifesaving devices needed; let’s make it happen

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OUR VIEW

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Thank the Lord for the automated external defibrillator, a device that — in the hands of a hero — saved the life of a Mitchell man last month.

Wayne Klinger, 71, was exercising at the Mitchell Recreation Center March 29 when he suffered a heart stoppage. Rec Center staffer Jamie Henkel revived Klinger with the use of the AED, a device that uses paddles to monitor patients and determine whether a lifesaving jolt is needed to restart an ailing heart.

With Klinger, it was needed. Oh boy, was it needed. And after Henkel and the AED gave him the necessary kick start, Klinger’s heart restarted, his pulse returned and his life was properly saved.

What a great story, and we cannot heap enough credit upon Henkel and the staff at the Recreation Center. This really is a big deal, and worthy of congratulations.

Also, we commend the decision-makers who chose to spend the money and install the AED at the Recreation Center and numerous other city buildings in the first place. That was foresight, and those people, too, are heroes. Good for them.

Now, as the excitement of this lifesaving effort subsides, we need to consider where AEDs are located in Mitchell and whether more are needed.

Klinger himself was quoted in The Daily Republic as saying that all public buildings should have the device. We couldn’t agree more, although most city buildings do have the device.

But is there a void? And if so, can public entities make the purchase or would private money be required?

Would a fundraiser help? Even if only one additional AED is purchased and placed in a key location, it may be the device that actually saves a life, or the very apparatus that helps grandpa get home safe and sound. If there is a void, The Daily Republic would be glad to help in this effort. Would others be so inclined? Let’s see what we can do.

Tags: opinion, updates, editorials, defibrillator