BROKEN BOW—It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ lifesaving measures are necessary and implemented by staff members at local swimming pools. The Broken Bow Aquatic Center recently received a grant from the Custer County Foundation allowing for the purchase of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machine in case of an emergency of someone having heart issues.
“Hopefully we won’t ever have to use it but I always try and tell the guards ‘it’s not a matter of if it happens, it’s a matter of when it happens,’” Pool Manager Laurie French told KCNI/KBBN.
A staff of 24 lifeguards have been trained and certified for the 2021 summer season. French said the AED is a huge addition to the pool and could also be used during softball season in case of emergency if someone is trained. She said she appreciates the help of the Custer County Foundation, Emergency Services Director Andy Holland, and local EMTs for working closely to obtain and train on the AED.
“It’s just a neat thing for us to have. That way if for some reason the EMTs are delayed getting here we’ve already got that process started. For every minute that any type of care is given—whether it’s CPR or AED—every minute that we lose, your risk of surviving decreases by ten percent. It’s important to me and to our staff that we’re able to do that and to get that process in place,” French said.
The Broken Bow pool opened on June 1 and can be reached by calling 308-872-5177 or visiting the Facebook page.
