Books aren’t the only new additions coming to one local library.
Recently, members of Islamorada’s Fire Rescue Station 20 visited their neighbors in the Islamorada library to present a life-saving tool. Funds raised by the nonprofit Friends of the Helen Wadley Library went toward the roughly $1,600 purchase of a Philips HeartStart automated external defibrillator (AED). The medical device can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
With the library close to one of the busier stations in town, Chief Terry Abel said relying on first responders next door isn’t a good gamble should an emergency arise.
“We identified a gap and so did the Friends,” he said. “Not only does it do adult patients, but it also does children with the same pad and the same AED.”
Abel added there are 350,000-plus cardiac deaths a year in the U.S. outside a hospital setting. For those who aren’t familiar with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and don’t know how to use an AED, the chances of survival is zero among those facing an emergency cardiac situation. But with knowledge of CPR and an AED, chances of survival greatly rise to 40%.
“It’s a phenomenal piece of equipment and super easy to use,” Abel said. “I pray to God you never have to use it, but if you have to, it’s there for you.”
Rita Klopf, treasurer of the Friends of the Helen Wadley Branch Library, said she knew an acquaintance at a previous job who was saved by an AED. She said the Friends were able to pay for the AED through various fundraisers.
“To have them on-site and have them available where we can use them, it’s life-saving,” she said.
Abel said there are AEDs located in various parts of the village, including churches, schools, condos and homeowner associations.
Joining in the AED presentation were Islamorada Fire Rescue members; Kimberly Matthews, county senior director of strategic planning and libraries; Naomi Trevino, senior library associate; and Holly Merrill Raschein, county mayor pro tem.
