BANGOR – The hearts of students and staff at two area high schools are safer now, thanks to the American Heart Association.

John Bapst Memorial High School and Brewer High School have each received an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), a device which could save a person from sudden cardiac arrest.

At the 2002 American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, participant Ray Giroux received the AED, compliments of Philips Medical Systems, for being the top fund-raiser for the event. As “Top Walker,” Giroux could donate the device to anywhere in the community.

He decided it would go to John Bapst Memorial High School. Under the direction of Eastern Maine Healthcare Training Manager Sue Vernon, RN, several members of the staff were trained to use the device.

Cathy Sherman, the school nurse for Brewer High School, had her sights on winning the defibrillator during the 2002 walk. But though she didn’t win, the school started a fundraising effort to purchase its own unit.

Every year, more than 250,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest. The early use of CPR and the AED device is the only feasible method of achieving early defibrillation, according to the American Heart Association.

Keeping in mind the recent death of a Belfast student athlete, John Bapst High School might take their AED to the upcoming regional track meet as a precaution. John Bapst and Brewer are currently the only two schools in the area with a defibrillator.

Philip’s Medical Systems will donate another AED for the 2003 Heart Walk, to be placed in the community of this year’s “Top Walker.”

The walk starts at 9:30 a.m. (8:30 a.m. registration), Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Husson College Campus. For information, or to register, call toll free (800) 937-0944.