On Wednesday, May 24th, twelve people gathered to be trained in the proper use of the defibrillators which are available in both our worship and fellowship spaces. We’d been feeling safe just to have the units there, until someone stopped to wonder who knows how to use them.

Our Chapel Board hired the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority to come teach us the proper use of the machine. The Captain answered every and all questions we had and stressed the two most important rules for us to remember: Rule number 1,” Turn the unit on.” Rule number 2, “Do what it says.”

The Captain shared with us that he was very impressed that we have these units in our buildings because using the defibrillator until proper medical personnel arrives can definitely save lives. Arizona has a Good Samaritan Law which states: Any licensed or certified health care provider, or licensed ambulance attendant, driver, or pilot, or any other person who, gratuitously and in good faith, renders emergency care at a public gathering or at the scene of an emergency occurrence is not liable for ordinary negligence. We are not to hesitate to offer help if an unconscious person appears not to be breathing.