Page 5 - whidbey health pulse e-magazine about our services

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Steady Standbys Hands-Only CPR/AED Training

You’ve probably seen them at the fairs, WhidbeyHealth EMS is happy to be able to offer free cardiopulmonary
fireworks, parades, festivals, marathons resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training
or any of the dozens of events on to all ninth-graders spurred on by a state mandate that requires
Whidbey Island. Our EMS team CPR be mandatory for high school graduation.
performs what are called “We do EMS also offers the same training to community groups
“Emergency Medical dozens and dozens or neighborhoods in these skills, while helping them to
Services Standbys” of “standbys” in an effort institute AED programs.
at events all over to not just respond more
the island. Many of quickly to a medical or traumatic Every year the employees of WhidbeyHealth EMS
these events have incident at events, but also to donate one AED and cabinet to an organization that
a high risk of injury coordinate with other emergency shows significant need but doesn’t have the funding
to participants; services agencies to ensure to purchase an AED. The cost is approximately
other events require that attendees have the very $1,200 annually. Here are the public AEDs currently
paramedic-level best and safest experience accessible to islanders, with others soon to be added
at more locations in Langley and Oak Harbor. The
services by their insurers. possible.” Coupeville locations were donated by the Coupeville
WhidbeyHealth EMS team ~ Lead Paramedic Arts and Crafts Festival Association:
members are educated by the Robert May n Community Park, Langley
Emergency Management Institute n South Whidbey Sports Complex, Langley
at the National Fire Academy on best n WiFire Parking Lot on Main St., Freeland
practices to cover events in order to be n Front Street at the Knead and Feed Restaurant, Coupeville
prepared for anything that may arise. n Port of Coupeville’s Collections Building, Coupeville
WhidbeyHealth EMS, along with other n Red Apple Market, Coupeville
emergency services agencies of Whidbey n North Whidbey Football and Cheer, Oak Harbor
Island, are responsible for ensuring the n Whidbey Homeless Coalition at The Haven, Oak Harbor
safety of those who participate at events. n Sierra Clubhouse, West Beach

“Some of this participation is high-stakes
and highly-athletic like national horse-
jumping, hydroplane races and intense
terrain mountain-biking races,” May says.

“We have to be ready for anything, at any
time, on any terrain.”

Children Car Seat Safety Lead
Paramedic
Robert May
It’s safe to say that we’ve had an presents a
impressive number of nationally certified participant
car seat safety specialists on Whidbey. with an AED
for the North
WhidbeyHealth is proud to co-sponsor Whidbey
quarterly car seat safety checks at the Oak Football and
Harbor Fire Department and help to write Cheer Club,
grants to acquire infant/child car seats for while
CEO Geri
those who cannot afford them. (See Page Forbes, left,
11 for more info on car seat safety checks.) observes.