MANALAPAN — Residents of the Covered Bridge II adult community will be ready to lend a helping hand when a neighbor needs assistance.
DAVE BENJAMIN A group of residents in Manalapan’s Covered Bridge II adult community have been trained to operate a portable defibrillator that has been placed in the Covered Bridge II clubhouse.
Not only has a portable defibrillator been placed in the Covered Bridge II clubhouse, but a group of volunteers has been trained in its use and will be on duty at the clubhouse during the facility’s busiest times in case someone goes into sudden cardiac arrest.
The trained and certified volunteers who will be able to respond in the event of an emergency are Jim May, Herb Steinhardt, Ruby Spielzinger, Esta Salzhauer, Arnold Anfang, Leo Shargel, John Randello, Joye Palmer, Henry Eisig, Jill Kurtz, Bob Cobianchi, Dave Rosse and Ed Schwartz.
"A few years ago a resident made a suggestion that we ought to have a defibrillator in our clubhouse," said Schwartz. "It took a while for the idea to germinate."
Schwartz said the community’s executive board recently started to talk about the idea and had agreed that it would be worthwhile to purchase a defibrillator and have trained volunteers available during times when the clubhouse has peak use.
At first it was thought that the only people who could use the equipment were members of the first aid squad who were trained in using the apparatus.
"About a year ago, I became involved," said Schwartz. "I started to run with the project by putting out some feelers in our community bulletin. People were asked to volunteer for a few hours each week, to be in the clubhouse, be trained and certified in the use of the equipment."
It took a while, but soon a group of people came forth to volunteer, Schwartz said. Today there is a group of 13 trained and certified residents who stand ready to respond to an emergency.
Schwartz said that he, along with 10 other residents, the maintenance supervisor, and his assistant, took an American Heart Association training course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of the defibrillator about two months ago. They all received their certification.
"I looked into 10 to 12 different kinds of machines from the very sophisticated to the least sophisticated," said Schwartz. "We found out for our needs we just have a little machine, the size of half an egg carton. But it does everything it’s supposed to do."
At an executive board meeting chaired by Al Feder, the board approved the funds needed to purchase the life-saving equipment, which is now kept in a cabinet in the clubhouse.
"I laid out a schedule so that the clubhouse would be staffed when most of the people are there," said Schwartz. "We have schedules for Monday through Friday. We have a minimum of two people on [duty] from 1-4 p.m. and from 7-10 p.m."
Schwartz said more volunteers are being sought to provide additional coverage at the clubhouse.
He noted the importance of being trained in CPR and the use of the defibrillator, having the right equipment available and having the ability to combine all of that.
"Every minute you waste, your chance for survivability decreases 10 percent," Schwartz said, referring to the moment from when someone has a heart attack or stroke to the time when medical help arrives.
The few precious minutes before the first aid squad or paramedics arrive can mean the difference between life or death for a friend, a neighbor, or a relative. By having trained volunteers at the clubhouse the chances of survival in an emergency are increased, he said.
Residents of Covered Bridge II who may be interested in training to be a volunteer can attend the annual meeting on May 20 where they will be able to hear more about the program and sign up for future training.
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
Covered Bridge II now
has residents trained
to operate defibrillator
Volunteers will be ready
when call for help arrives