If you’re going to have a heart attack, École Desrochers just might be the place to do it.
Earlier this month the school received a donation of two automated external defibrillators, as well as training for 25 of its students and staff on how to use them.
The machines and training came thanks to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, which donated them to the Greater North Central Francophone School Board—the governing body of École Desrochers—to give to each of its schools.
According to the principal at École Desrochers, Hélène Gendron, the donation is the result of a push by the school board to have AED machines in every school.
When the board was first approached with the proposal to put AEDs in every school it strongly supported the idea, but didn’t have the money to make it happen.
Luckily, the Heart and Stroke Foundation was in the middle of a push to get AEDs in as many schools as possible, and made the school board’s dream a reality.
With the corporate sponsorship of Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd., the foundation made it possible to provide the machines and training to the school.
At École Desrochers, that training took place March 4, when Sonia and Travis Moorehouse trained 25 students and staff in CPR and how to use the machines.
On March 16, Gendron presented each trainee with certificates of recognition.
“We just want to thank everyone involved in helping us get these machines,” Gendron said, giving a nod to CP, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Moorehouses.
“Everyone agrees that this was a great learning experience,” she later wrote in an email.
Jesse Lazarri, one of the students who received the training, said that while CPR was harder than he expected, he feels like he learned a valuable skill.
He said he believes that if there is ever an emergency situation, he will be able to confidently perform CPR or use the defibrillators.
Trevor Nichols
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