The Santa Ana Unified School District announced Thursday that it has equipped its six schools with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the upcoming school year.

The coaching staff at Segerstrom and district nurses have already been trained with the devices. Additional training began at Santa Ana Valley on Thursday. The devices are used to treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest.

“Sudden cardiac arrest strikes people of all ages and fitness levels, usually without warning,” Santa Ana Unified’s Deputy Superintendent Cathie Olsky said. “Implementing an AED program at our comprehensive high schools can better prepare us to deal with sudden cardiac arrest if it were to occur.”

Each of the Santa Ana schools (Century, Godinez, Saddleback, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Valley and Segerstrom) will be equipped with three automated external defibrillators: one for the nurse’s office, one for the athletics office and one that will travel with a trainer.

Considering the number of deaths involving county high school athletes, Santa Ana’s move is very noteworthy.

Here is a link to a good story by OCVarsity.com’s Jonathan Kay about the discussion going on at county schools about student safety.

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