By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP - Lakota East High School is the first in the district to purchase an automated external defibrillator.

But it won't be the last.

The portable machines have also been ordered for the freshman school, Ridge and Hopewell junior schools.

Fire and school officials say they know of no other schools in the area except Sycamore that have purchased such units.

"We're a district of almost 16,000 kids. We have a policy of involving our community after hours,'' said Stuart Eversole, athletic director.

"If someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, you want to give them the opportunity to get their heart beating.

"We need to be proactive in this.''

For every minute that goes by without treatment, the chance for survival of someone in cardiac arrest decreases 7 to 10 percent without treatment, said John Detherage, assistant fire chief for Liberty Township.

The defibrillator delivers a shock - electric current - to a patient's chest wall that in turn passes through the heart. It should cause the heart to resume normal pumping activity.

Each year, 300,000 spectators go to Lakota East and West high schools for athletic events, Mr. Eversole said. That doesn't include those who use the schools' indoor and outdoor tracks, theater productions, concerts or events at other schools, he said.

The compact units being purchased are fully automated and include both pictorial and verbal step-by-step directions on how to operate them, said Capt. Richard Santel, of West Chester Fire Department.

"If you can look at a picture and figure out how to press a button, you can do it,'' Capt. Santel said.

School officials are working with West Chester and Liberty townships' fire departments to put at least one such machine in every elementary and junior school in the district and two or three in the three high schools.

Although several models are available, fire officials from both departments have recommended the same unit be purchased throughout the district to simplify training.

Already, several individuals at Lakota East have completed the 3- 4-hour training that includes CPR certification. Once the units arrive at the other buildings, employees, students and interested parents will be trained on their use, Mr. Santel said.

The cost for each machine is about $1,450, the money coming from parent-teacher or community groups.

Mr. Eversole, Capt. Santel and Mr. Detherage have put together a presentation for parent teacher, civic or other groups interested in donating money toward the purchase of the machines.

To schedule a presentation or make a donation, contact the principal at the school, or Mr. Eversole at 682-4240. Those interested in being trained should call Capt. Santel, 777-1133 or Mr. Detherage, 777-8388.