Rinks look to buy defibrillators after rescue

'We gave him one jolt and he came back'

Following a dramatic revival on the weekend, more rinks and recreational facilities on P.E.I. are considering purchasing automated external defibrillators.

Steve Stapleton helped to revive a friend who collapsed during a hockey game at the APM Centre in Cornwall, using the AED when CPR was proving ineffective.

"We gave him one jolt and he came back," said Stapleton.

Recreation PEI is calling for more AEDs at recreational facilities across the province. The province has money available to cover half the $2,000 cost. Currently only half of the province's arenas have them.

On hearing the news of what happened on Sunday, at least one rink, Gateway Arena in Borden-Carleton, has voted to buy an AED. Manager Adam Connolly said news of the incident got the attention of the rink's board.

"For the cost of $1,000 or thereabouts, you use something like that one time and obviously you're getting your money's worth," said Connolly.

The APM Centre has had an AED for two years. This is the first time it has been used.

Pools, curling clubs encouraged

Recreation PEI executive director Beth Grant noted the provincial grant is also available to other recreational facilities. AEDs have been purchased at pools in the CARI centre in Charlottetown and Credit Union Place in Summerside, as well as some fitness centres.

"When you hear of an incident like that, if that happens tonight and you're going to buy one tomorrow, now is much better than later," said Grant.

Grant would like to see AEDs soon at pools, curling clubs and golf courses, as well as every rink across the province.

At least one Island rink has applied to organizers of the 2010 Olympics, who are giving away 200 AEDs across the country.

Source: cbc.ca January 2010