External Defribillators More Common at Churches

You are more likely to see an External Defibrillator in your Upper Cumberland church.

Mended Hearts Cookeville focuses on providing life-saving Automated External Defribillators at no cost to qualifying churches. President Blanche Smithers said any nonprofit may qualify by meeting guidelines such as a percentage of members certified to use the AED.

“When they administer the CPR and do the AED on them, someone has already called 9-1-1 and they’re on their way,” Smithers said. “So we feel like we have helped save lives with this piece of equipment.

Smithers said they require AED certifications because so many people are afraid to use the AEDs. She said there is no point in giving equipment to an organization until their members have gone through the courses to use the equipment.

Smithers said pre-Covid the chapter had made presentations about AEDs to groups invited to the local hospital. She said these days they have a different route for distribution.

“It’s just word of mouth,” Smithers said. “I would like to say that currently we have given 212 AEDs to nonprofits in the Upper Cumberland area which we are very proud of.”

Smithers said although there is no cost for the devices, some organizations take up a love offering. She said the money automatically goes back into Mended Hearts.

Smithers said there is no cost to the nonprofits. She said Mended Hearts relies on volunteers, grants, and donations to provide the AEDs.

If your nonprofit is interested in qualifying for an AED, you may contact AED Chairman Jim Loftis at (931) 432-5885.