COUNTY TO STUDY DEFIBRILLATORS GOLF COURSES, PARKS WOULD GET DEVICES.

Byline: Troy Anderson Staff Writer

Realizing that golf courses are among the top five public places where people suffer cardiac arrest, the Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to study placing mobile defibrillators at county golf courses, senior centers, parks and other county facilities.

Supervisor Don Knabe said more than 100 visitors have gone into cardiac arrest at golf courses countywide in the past 18 months. Having mobile defibrillators on those courses and other county facilities would save lives, he said.

``Many private country clubs have begun purchasing mobile defibrillators for the benefit of those using their golf courses and have already saved a number of lives by having the device and trained personnel on hand to help in the case of such emergencies where they are needed,'' Knabe said.

The city of Los Angeles already has begun placing mobile defibrillators at its 13 golf courses as well as at senior centers and child day care centers.

In stressing the need for the mobile defibrillators, Knabe cited a recent study by the American Heart Association that found the top five public places for cardiac arrest are airports, county jails, shopping malls, sports stadiums and golf courses.

Steven J. Gallegos, spokesman for the heart association, said people suffer cardiac arrest on golf courses for several reasons.

``A lot of people on the courses are probably seniors,'' he said. ``Second of all, they live mostly sedentary lifestyles until they get out on the golf course, where they are exerting themselves and putting their heart at risk.''

The board voted unanimously to direct the county Department of Parks and Recreation to check into the costs of purchasing defibrillators and training employees on how to use them at golf courses, senior centers, child day care centers, county pools and parks.

The board also directed the County Counsel's Office to examine liability issues involving the use of defibrillators and to research the idea of placing a defibrillator in the supervisors' board room.

In other actions Tuesday, the board voted:

--To give the county Department of Mental Health $2.6 million to enhance mental health services to the poor.

--To approve a $2.6 million agreement between The Newhall Land and Farming Company and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to improve traffic flow along Magic Mountain Parkway by widening the road to six lanes.

--To send letters to President George W. Bush and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft urging them to deputize local police so the officers can make federal arrests of airline passengers for unruly behavior as part of an effort to curb ``air rage.''