COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- An exciting month for Academy School District 20, as the district is in the process of installing brand new Automated External Defibrillators in its schools.
"We were able to carve out a little money from our capital budget, and put it into what we call the 'summer projects,'" Larry Borland, Chief of Security and Transportation for District 20, said.
In the past, District 20 had used grant money to purchase a few AEDs, which Borland said was helpful, but not adequate for the size and scope of the district.
In total D-20 purchased 37 AEDs, one to be installed at each school and the administration building.
"Then an extra one will accompany the trainer at specific athletic events," Borland said.
Currently the district is working to install the AEDs.
Each one is being placed in a central location within the school.
"In a publicly accessible area that is as central as we can get to where we normally have larger groups of people, gyms, auditoriums and that kind of thing," Borland said.
When it comes to the machines and their operation, he said they are equipped with instructions and are fairly easy to work.
"The device actually talks you through how to prepare the patient, and where to place the pads," Borland said. "It advises you on how to take a pulse, and whether or not there is a call for a shock."
From there the machine walks users through cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
An important life saving measure if the need ever arises.
"It is interesting because it is a piece of equipment we were glad to purchase, but hope we never have to use," Borland said.
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