Defibrillator at The Conviser Law Center!

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Defibrillator at The Conviser Law Center

The Conviser Law Center has an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to make early defibrillation immediately available in cardiac emergencies.

WHAT IS SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST (SCA)?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can happen anywhere, to anyone, at anytime, without warning, without symptoms, and regardless of age or health. SCA is most often caused by an electrical malfunction that makes the heart quiver ineffectively. Defibrillation, an electric shock across the heart, is the only effective treatment for this malfunction. It stops the ineffective quivering and allows a coordinated heart rhythm to resume. Surviving SCA is largely dependent on how quickly the patient is defibrillated.

TYPICAL INDICATIONS THAT SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCING SCA:

  • An abnormal or racing heart beat
  • Feeling faint or dizzy due to loss of blood flow
  • Abnormal breathing
  • Loss of blood pressure and pulse
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Unresponsive

WHEN SCA STRIKES, EVERY MINUTE COUNTS:
Every minute counts when sudden cardiac arrest strikes. The new HeartStart AED unit is located at the front lobby desk where it will be readily accessible to emergency responders. Everyone at the IIT Conviser Law Center can make a lifesaving difference in a medical emergency by immediately calling 911 and the Conviser Law Center Security Officer on duty (ext 6-5030 using a campus phone or 312-906-5030 using a cell phone). Be sure to specifically identify the location of the victim so a trained responder can be dispatched to the scene.

CONVISER LAW CENTER STAFF TRAINING:
A group of staff at the Conviser Law Center have received CPR/AED training from the American Red Cross program; those trained include all of the engineering and Public Safety Officers, three library staff members and several other staff at both Chicago-Kent and Stuart. If you believe a person is experiencing SCA, please attempt to locate a trained responder by calling security as noted above. However, it is important to note that the HeartStart AED that we purchased is specifically designed to be used by virtually anyone. It actually walks the user/responder through the process with verbal instructions and other commands during the entire process. The unit has a safety feature that analyzes the victim before allowing an electric shock to be administered. In an emergency situation and in the absence of a trained user, an AED user who acts in good faith and without compensation is protected from civil liability under Illinois' Automated External Defibrillator Act, except for willful and wanton misconduct.

Please contact Dawn E. Rupcich, Assistant Dean or Rob Ulcigrai, Chief Engineer if you have any questions.

The Record