Recreation center in Henderson given defibrillator

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004 | 9:17 a.m.

Project Heartbeat recently donated an automatic external defibrillator to be used in Henderson's Silver Springs Recreation Center.

Kathy Deuel of Project Heartbeat sponsored the donation in memory of her 13-year-old son, David, who died of sudden cardiac death four years ago.

The gymnasium at the recreation center has been named in David's memory.

Deuel has worked to advocate for automatic external defibrillator programs to help save the lives of Nevadans who experience sudden heart problems.

She also testified before the Legislature in support of using the device in Clark County high schools.

Deuel said her son would still be alive had there been access to one of the devices at the time of his sudden cardiac arrest.

"A person who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest cannot survive without the shock to their heart that an AED delivers," she said. "Had an AED been on the premises and used within a few minutes of David's sudden cardiac arrest, my son would almost certainly be here today."

Kurt Williams, recreation supervisor for the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department, accepted the defibrillator on behalf of the city.

The donation included a plaque memorializing David Deuel.

Project Heartbeat Chairwoman Lucy Steward said this is among the first of several sponsored donations planned.

Anyone wishing to sponsor an automatic external defibrillator in the name of a loved one can contact Robin Camacho, American Heart Association director of advocacy, at 367-1366.