by AMANDA WINTERS

Sequim Gazette

Gloria Redmond says anyone can save a life.

The secret is inside what looks like a red lunch box: an automatic external defibrillator.

Redmond, a family nurse practitioner who works for the Jamestown Family Health Clinic, regularly teaches people how to use AEDs and administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation as part of her work as an American Heart Association instructor. Redmond has instructed people on basic life support and advanced cardiac life support for more than 15 years.

“My job is awesome,” she said.

The AEDs are sophisticated, computerized devices that are equipped to send an electric shock to victims of sudden cardiac arrest. They are located in most commonly visited places, including medical clinics, grocery stores and even golf courses.

Redmond, who graduated from Washington State University in 1999 with a master’s degree in nursing, said the devices have step-by-step voice instructions and are designed to be used by people with no medical expertise whatsoever. The device even has instructions for CPR.

Redmond said she spent many years working in trauma units and critical care. It is rewarding now to be able to prevent heart trauma both by screening patients for signs of heart disease and teaching people how to save lives with AEDs and CPR, she said.

“Anyone can save a life,” she said.

Reach Amanda Winters at awinters@sequimgazette.com.