Lamezia, local businesses donate defibrillator to the Nicotera-Costabile institute: course for teachers and staff concluded

Lamezia Terme – The commitment of the “Nicotera – Costabile” comprehensive institute of Lamezia Terme, as part of strengthening the school’s ability to intervene promptly in case of need, continues with the completion of the BLSD course by the school staff who have obtained adequate training on how to carry out cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and on the use of the automatic defibrillator. There were two training moments that involved the school staff. At the first informative lesson – they say in a note – by Mr. De Fazio, official BLSD trainer of the Fire Brigade and of the Calabria Cardioprotetta association, which took place on Tuesday twenty-sixth March 2024 at the primary school complex of Savutano, they some teachers from the three school levels and some school collaborators participated. The topics covered were specifically: first aid notions, adult/pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers, knowledge and use of the “AED” – Semi-automatic Defibrillator, unblocking maneuvers in adults/pediatrics, lateral safety position, emergency call to single emergency number “112”.

On April 9, 2024, the five-hour BLSD Training and Refresher Course took place at the headquarters in via G. Porchio, in which teachers from the three school levels, school collaborators and administrative assistants participated. The course, directed by Dr. Nagero, was held by the staff of the Red Cross – Calabria Regional Committee. The trainer for life-saving maneuvers illustrated the first aid actions and maneuvers to be implemented promptly in emergency situations and, in particular, in the event of respiratory and/or cardiac arrest. The training of school staff, which is part of the annual program aimed at prevention and safety in the workplace, follows the installation of a semi-automatic defibrillator (AED) at the primary and nursery school complex in Savutano via Mascagni . This equipment, they highlight, “was donated to the Institute on March 5, 2024 by a group of parents, as well as operators of commercial activities such as ‘Il Gusto delle Carni’, ‘La Barrica srl’, ‘Alex Stout’, ‘Dissonanze Studio’, ‘Bar Friends’, ‘LSdrinks’, ‘Fan Feste’, ‘L’Alternativa'”.

The device was delivered on the occasion of a public ceremony which took place in the gym of the school complex in via Mascagni, in which all the primary school pupils participated, accompanied by their teachers. The defibrillator, now available to nursery and primary schools, is semi-automatic, complete with pediatric paddles and case. It is a fundamental tool to allow immediate intervention in cases of sudden cardiac arrest among school staff or students, especially during those activities that require greater physical effort or during sporting activity. It is able to analyze the heart rhythm and guide the operator in every phase of the rescue, warning when there is a need to deliver an electric shock, blocking the abnormal cardiac activity, allowing the heart to restore its regular rhythm. The discharge is released through conducting plates attached to the victim’s chest.

The decree of 16 March 2023 containing criteria and methods for the installation of semi-automatic and automatic external defibrillators, pursuant to article 1, paragraph 3, of law 4 August 2021, n. 116, indicates schools among the priority places in which to install the devices. The IC Nicotera – Costabile is also confirmed in this respect, therefore, among the most attentive and cutting-edge institutes in terms of the well-being and safety of its community. “Hoping that we will never need to use this electro-medical device, we thank all the operators involved for the noble gesture of donating an instrument that will make us feel safer due to its presence. This gift underlines the attention of these parents for the well-being of the entire school community and reinforces the importance of prevention and the sense of responsibility that every civil society should have towards the safety of human life” – declared the Headmaster Maria Angela Bilotti.