(From Blanchard Valley Health System)
Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) has donated four automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to Camp Berry to improve safety at the Boy Scout camp south of Findlay.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to give back to our community and ensure the safety of our youth,” explained Amy J. Leach, director of corporate public relations and marketing at BVHS. “We are incredibly proud to be part of this initiative and lend a helping hand that could save lives.”
Alex Greek, camp health officer, said that hundreds of people could be at the site at any given time. Day camps and overnight camps for scouts are offered during the summer, and during the off-season, children and adults continue to come to camp for various scouting-related activities. The public can also rent some of the facilities.
Camp Berry previously had an AED at the building known as the health lodge. However, it was older technology that needed to be replaced.
“It was also our only one,” Greek said. The camp is 360 acres in size, and it’s out in the country. In an emergency, first responders would need to get to the injured person, bring them out of camp, and transport them to the hospital – every second counts. Access to multiple AEDs ensures the camp is safer for our campers and the public.
“This generosity from BVHS helps ensure that Camp Berry adheres to our commitment to readiness and safety in all circumstances, aligning perfectly with our motto, ‘Be Prepared!’” Greek added.
After reading about medical emergencies at Scout camps in other states, Greek had the idea.
He added that while people don’t think of cardiac arrest or other medical crises occurring in children, it can happen. Even more likely, though, is an emergency involving an adult. In addition to the adults who work at the camp, adult Scout leaders are often on-site.
“Parents and grandparents often visit camp to support the Scouts,” Greek added. “We don’t expect to need an AED often, but when and if we do, we will need it immediately. Replacing one older AED with four newer ones distributed throughout the camp helps us better protect our campers and visitors. That’s important to us, and we are grateful for the donation.”
The four AEDs are manufactured by the company Cardiac Science, which also contributed a “Stop the Bleed” kit.
“Safety and protecting others are important to Boy Scouts, and we are committed to teaching our campers first aid,” Greek said. “A lot of young people have gotten certified in first aid and AED out here at this site.”
BVHS offers courses in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of AEDs to the general public as part of its ongoing effort to keep the community safer.
“Knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED could save a life,” said Jason Brunswick, MSN, RN, simulation & clinical education coordinator, who teaches these courses. “The more members of the public who have this knowledge, and the more readily available AEDs are at locations where many people congregate, the higher the likelihood of a good outcome for someone who experiences cardiac arrest.”
For more information, or to register for a class, please visit https://www.bvhealthsystem.org/classes-and-events/
