Our View

You have to hand it to a special group of residents in Manalapan’s Covered Bridge II adult community. Experiences learned over a lifetime have taught them they are in a prime position to help themselves and those around them.

Now, not only has a portable defibrillator been placed in the Covered Bridge II clubhouse, but a group of volunteers has been trained in its use and will be on duty during the facility’s busiest times in case someone goes into sudden cardiac arrest.

The trained and certified volunteers who will be able to respond in the event of an emergency are Jim May, Herb Steinhardt, Ruby Spielzinger, Esta Salzhauer, Arnold Anfang, Leo Shargel, John Randello, Joye Palmer, Henry Eisig, Jill Kurtz, Bob Cobianchi, Dave Rosse and Ed Schwartz.

Schwartz said the community’s executive board agreed it would be worthwhile to purchase a defibrillator and have trained volunteers available during times when the clubhouse has peak use.

It turned out they didn’t have to look too far to find volunteers willing to serve their own community.

Schwartz said that he, along with 10 other residents, the maintenance supervisor, and his assistant, took a training course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of the defibrillator about two months ago. They all received their certification.

"Every minute you waste, your chance for survivability decreases 10 percent," Schwartz said, referring to the moment from when someone has a heart attack or stroke to the time when medical help arrives.

The few precious minutes before first aid squad volunteers, police officers or paramedics arrive can mean the difference between life or death for a friend, a neighbor, or a relative. By having trained volunteers at the clubhouse the chances of survival in an emergency will be increased.

We hope the Covered Bridge II defibrillator volunteers will never have to put their training to use. However should circumstances arise and they have to, surely the person in need of assistance will thank them for being community minded.