About AEDs

In the time it takes you to read this page, sudden cardiac arrest will have claimed another victim. In the past year, 220,000 Americans died of sudden cardiac arrest: nearly one death every two minutes. A quarter of these deaths could have been prevented if someone had initiated the Cardiac Chain of Survival, and an automated external defibrillator (AED) had been available for immediate use at the time of the emergency.

AEDs are easy-to-use, portable devices that deliver a potentially lifesaving electric shock to the heart, which can restore a heart's normal rhythm in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. Immediate use of an AED, in conjunction with CPR, could save up to 50,000 lives a year. The American Red Cross' dedication to increasing the public's knowledge of the Cardiac Chain of Survival, and the need for public access to defibrillation led to the development of a public service campaign entitled Project Lifesaver: Increasing Public Access to Defibrillation. Project Lifesaver is designed to help communities plan and implement access to defibrillation programs by providing AED education, training, support for state and federal AED legislation, as well as urging communities to obtain AEDs. The American Red Cross envisions every American being within four minutes of an AED and someone trained to use it in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. To make this possible, the American Red Cross is bringing life-saving AED training to communities and companies like yours.

What is an AED and when is it used?
An automated external defibrillator (AED), is used to deliver an electrical shock to the heart (defibrillation) of a victim of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA occurs when a heart’s electrical impulses suddenly become chaotic, causing the heart to abruptly stop pumping blood effectively.

Is an AED difficult to use?
The HeadStart ForeRunner 2 AED (FR2) requires minimal training. Audible, and visual instructions clearly and simply show how to operate the unit. Safety officers, on-site physicians and nurses, security guards, office and industrial workers, have all safely used the FR2 AED. Because it was designed to be used by non-professional rescuers, it is the ideal unit to be used by the “lay” population, however the American Red Cross still recommends training.

AEDfact: The average survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest is about 5 percent. With an AED that can increase to more than 40 percent.

Aren’t AED units expensive?
The value provided by an AED transcends its cost; AED units save lives. Fortunately, costs have decreased since their introduction. AED units, including accessories and the associated costs for training can be provided. The American Red Cross of Greater Columbus will work with you to get the best possible price.

AEDfact: For every minute that this lifesaving treatment is delayed, the chances for survival decrease by 10 percent.

Shouldn’t 9-1-1 handle this type of an emergency?
When every minute counts, a victim’s chances for survival diminish by 10 percent for every minute that defibrillation is delayed. Saving lives is a shared responsibility. Corporate sponsored in-house emergency response programs should complement, not replace, the existing 9-1-1 structure.

AEDquote: "Because the chemotherapy medications we administer can cause reactions, we decided we need AEDs on hand. It is just one more way of protecting our patients, which is our number one concern."

Sue Dyer, RN
Clinical Manager
Mid-Ohio Oncology

What is my company’s liability?
To date, all 50 states have incorporated the use of AED units into their Good Samaritan Laws, including Ohio. Individuals are covered under the Good Samaritan Law to the degree that the unit is utilized within proper operating conditions and the responder reacts in a reasonable and prudent manner. Ohio’s Good Samaritan Law protects the lay responder in the use of an AED whether they have been trained or not (Ohio House Bill 717). To date no court cases have been successfully won regarding the use of an AED.

However, numerous cases have been successfully litigated against organizations for not having AEDs readily available.

AEDfact: Defibrillation is the ONLY definitive treatment for sudden cardiac arrest.

Why should I purchase an AED from the Red Cross?
The American Red Cross has provided health and safety services to the American public for almost a century. The AED program at the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus is designed to get your AED safety program started as quickly as possible. We can provide:

• The AED unit

• OSHA compliant CPR/AED training

• Assistance with acquiring medical direction

• Assistance with developing a response team for your organization

• Follow-up with additional information, record keeping, supplies and accessories.

Who can I contact for more information?
Please call (614) 253-2740 and then dial one of the following extensions:

• Tracy Moore -- ext. 2573 / email

• Valerie Hart -- ext. 2224 / email

• Scott Gerding -- ext. 2230 / email

• Troy Bridges -- ext. 2432 / email

AEDfact: In the first six months after AEDs were installed at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, nine out of 11 people who went into cardiac arrest were saved.

AEDfact: In Las Vegas, AEDs in hotels and casinos have increased the survival rate from 14 percent to a remarkable 57 percent.

AEDquote: "Just last week a visitor here at the White House collapsed and would have died if not for one of the AEDs that our medical unit acquired last year.”

President Clinton
May 20, 2000 radio address

AEDfact: Installing AEDs in all Federal Buildings is now a law in the United States.

AEDfact: An estimated 100,000 people could be saved every year in the United States if Automated External Defibrillators were more widely available.