WEST BABYLON, NY — A new automated external defibrillator (AED) is now available around the clock near West Babylon High School's athletic fields, providing students, staff and community members with access to lifesaving equipment during cardiac emergencies.
The West Babylon School District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 6 to celebrate the installation of the outdoor AED SaveStation, donated by the Louis Acompora Foundation.
The Louis Acompora Foundation was established in memory of 14-year-old Louis Acompora, who died in 2000 after suffering sudden cardiac arrest during his first high school lacrosse game.
Since his death, his parents have worked to expand access to AEDs and raise awareness about cardiac emergency preparedness, particularly in schools and athletic facilities.
The West Babylon installation is part of the foundation's ongoing efforts to make AEDs more accessible in local communities.
District administrators, Board of Education members, local officials and senior members of the school's football and field hockey teams attended the ceremony.
The AED is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The device requires no special training to operate and provides step-by-step instructions to guide bystanders through its use during an emergency.
"The immediate access to an AED gives us the support and resources to potentially save a life," said Shawn Hanley, the district's deputy superintendent for human resources. "This initiative reflects what we value as a school district; creating a safe environment for students, staff and community members who use our facilities."
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