By: Sarah Gorvin, The Republican Eagle
Goodhue County.
When Red Wing School District began installing automated external defibrillators in its buildings a few years ago, high school Principal Beth Borgen said she hoped they would never need to be opened.
“I said, ‘This is the best use of taxpayers’ dollars that I hope we never have to use,’” she said.
But on Jan. 20, a student, whose name or age can’t be released due to privacy laws, sat down while running laps in the gym.
“They thought he was taking a breather,” school nurse Kris Klassen said.
Then the student collapsed unconscious into a staff member’s arms, and people knew something was seriously wrong. Klassen, who also works as an emergency room nurse, was called to the gym over walkie-talkie.
“I’ve been through this before, but not in a school setting,” she said.
