School project focuses on saving lives

Kara Bradley and Jessica DeGrieck with one of Stevenson High School’s AEDs. The pair worked with students in the art department to bring greater awareness to the location of the life-saving machines.

For two Stevenson High School students, their goal to increase awareness about automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is about much more than their school project.

It’s about saving lives.

Kara Bradley and Jessica DeGrieck are students in the district’s medical careers program that are working to increase awareness about automated external defibrillators (AED) and their use in schools.

An AED is a portable device that automatically diagnoses life-threatening heart situations and can treat them through electrical impulse.

So far, the students have spoken to the Stevenson High School staff about the locations and importance of the AEDs and have helped the district purchase two new units for the school to bring its total to seven.

The students also created classroom flyers that indicate AED locations and have worked with art students to focus greater attention on the devices.

As a result of their efforts, the students are bound for the state Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) tournament.

But more importantly, their work is making a difference at Stevenson High School, according to principal Steven Pfannes.

“I feel that Stevenson is much more prepared for an emergency requiring an AED machine based on the work of our HOSA team,” Pfannes said. “Their work is invaluable.”

In addition to creating more awareness at Stevenson, the seniors are focusing their efforts throughout the community, including an outreach to local government officials.

The students said the devices are easy to operate and automatically give directions when in use.

AED and CPR training is available throughout the community, particularly at area hospitals.

Both students plan careers as physician assistants after they graduate from Stevenson in June.