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(From left: Garrie Wright, Toronto Emergency Medical Services; Gary Brewer, York VP finance & administration; Frances Flint, York School of Kinesiology & Health Science; Richard Pilkington, York Security Services, Patricia Yu and Yvonne Beattie, York Department of Occupational Health & Safety, and Mae Andres, York Security Services)
Organizers of the annual York University Health Fair wanted the York community to stay well. They braved the heavy snowfall last week and went ahead with the event in Vari Hall.
The fair featured informative displays and demonstrations from a variety of health groups, all with the aim of providing the York community with better access to information and resources regarding health and wellness.
Among the organizations taking part were the Canadian Blood Services, Lung Association, Toronto Raver Info Project, Planned Parenthood and AIDS Committee of Toronto.
A highlight of the fair was York’s official announcement of its participation in Toronto”s life-saving Public Access Defibrillation program. There were hands-on demonstrations of York’s new defibrillators, which attracted crowds throughout the day.
As reported in an earlier YFile, the University has five portable automatic external defibrillators (pictured left and below), making it one of the largest institutions in Toronto to get the life-saving devices. York”s three campus patrol vehicles are equipped with the devices (two cars at the Keele campus and one at Glendon). Two of the AEDs are located at York”s Tait McKenzie athletic complex.
York Security Services personnel, who respond to all campus medical emergencies, have been specially trained to use the AED device. The device takes away much of the guess work in administering first aid by guiding the device operator with a display screen and voice prompts.
Using pads and sensors applied to the victim”s chest, the AED assesses whether it is necessary to deliver an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm and when the attendant should resume CPR.