Spare Time Lanes in Hometown has lifesaving equipment, thanks to the generosity of two Barnesville residents.
Roy Paisley and Jack Cusatis donated an automated external defibrillator to the Rush Township bowling alley on Wednesday.
It was Paisley’s idea to purchase the AED, which is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. When Cusatis heard Paisley’s plans, he offered to pay half.
“In 2002, I fell over dead. Cardiac arrest. I was in a coma,” Paisley said. “They didn’t have one of these machines. At that time, it was mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.”
His heart gave out several more times when he was in medical care.
It was an experience he never forgot – and it happened at a bowling alley.
“So I was down here bowling with all these ladies and gentlemen that I know. We’re all in 50s, 60s, 70s. Some are older,” Paisley said.
He began to feel like if something “major” were to happen, it would be good to have an AED on hand.
“I kicked it around and I said, ‘I’m going to buy one,’” Paisley said.
The word got out, and Cusatis contacted Paisley to tell him he’d like to split the bill.
“We’re donating it just in case something happens. You never know, it could be one of us,” Paisley said.
Cusatis said emergency responders do have AEDs but it might take some time for them to arrive.
“These things need to be out there,” Cusatis said of the AEDs.