AED Saves

Dublin Resident's Life Saved by Quick Action...and an AED

Dublin Community Recreation Center
staffers saved a Dublin man's life by use of an AED.


[ It’s training we hope we never have to use. Fortunately, this time, that training paid off. ]

- Matt Earman, Director of Recreation Services, Dublin Community Rec Center

By all indications, Steve Carr was healthier than many 52-year-olds. The Dublin resident worked out aggressively at the Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC). He was a nationally ranked swimmer. But, after five or six games of pick-up basketball at the Rec Center, Carr blacked out. The next thing he knew, he was being transported to the hospital by Washington Township EMTs, his life saved by the DCRC staff and an automated external defibrillator (AED).

"Recreation Center staff spends a lot of time training for this kind of emergency," said Director of Recreation Services Matt Earman. "They learn to use the AED correctly. They learn CPR... It’s training we hope we never have to use. Fortunately, this time, that training paid off."

Less than two minutes after Carr went down, DCRC staff members arrived with the AED. The machine recommended a shock be applied. EMTs on the scene believe that Carr would not have lived had there not been an AED available and trained persons to apply the lifesaving device.

Carr explained, "I’ve been told that the staff was efficient and professional, you could even say aggressive in their efforts to save my life. They were using the AED less than a minute after I went down." This experience has prompted Steve to work with the Columbus City Council’s Project Second Chance initiative; a public education campaign designed to increase the number of people trained in CPR and AED use and expand the quantity of AEDs throughout Columbus. He recently provided testimony for a bill designed to require sports facilities to have an AED and trained staff on-site.

The American Red Cross has a vision of all Americans being within four minutes of an AED and someone trained to use it in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. Call (614) 253-2740 ext. 2432 to schedule a free, no obligation AED demonstration. Send email for more information.