Purchasing an A.E.D.

Questions and Answers


What is Public access to defibrillation? (PAD) means making AEDs available in public and/or private places where large numbers of people gather or where people who are at high risk for heart attacks live.


What is an AED? The automated external defibrillator (AED) is a computerized medical device. An AED can check a person’s heart rhythm. It can recognize a rhythm that requires a shock. And it can advise the rescuer when a shock is needed. The AED uses voice prompts, lights and text messages to tell the rescuer the steps to take. AEDs are very accurate and easy to use. With a few hours of training, anyone can learn to operate an AED safely. There are many different brands of AEDs, but the same basic steps apply to all of them. Baldwin Area EMS provides training to individuals through community education classes, and to businesses, organizations and groups of five or more people. Call us 715.684.3188 x 106 for more information about setting up a class.


AEDs are found in targeted public areas such as sports arenas, gated communities, office complexes, doctor's offices, churches, shopping malls, etc. When AEDs are placed in the community or a business or facility, We strongly encourage that they be part of a defibrillation program in which:

  1. Persons that acquire an AED notify the local EMS office.
  2. A licensed physician or medical authority provides medical oversight to ensure quality control.
  3. Persons responsible for using the AED are trained in CPR and how to use an AED.
  4. Persons that acquire an AED notify the local EMS service (715.684.3188x106).
  5. We will assist in providing medical oversight to ensure quality control.



Why is notifying the local EMS office important? Dispatchers will know if an AED is on the premises and will be able to notify the EMS system as well as the responders already on the scene.


Why should people who are responsible for operating an AED receive CPR training?Early CPR is an integral part of providing lifesaving aid to people suffering sudden cardiac arrest. CPR helps to circulate oxygen-rich blood to the brain. After the AED is attached and delivers a shock, the typical AED will prompt the operator to continue CPR while the device continues to analyze the victim.


If AEDs are so easy to use, why do people need formal training in how to use them? An AED operator must know how to recognize the signs of a sudden cardiac arrest, when to activate the EMS system, and how to do CPR. It's also important for operators to receive formal training on the AED model they will use so that they become familiar with the device and are able to successfully operate it in an emergency. Training also teaches the operator how to avoid potentially hazardous situations.


Can anyone buy an AED? AEDs are manufactured and sold under guidelines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA may require someone who purchases an AED to present a physician's prescription for the device.


My organization has identified a member physician willing to purchase an AED for the club. What's the first step in the process?Your local EMS system can help you find out about local and state protocols and requirements for AED training and use.


If the person is a trained and licensed medical first responder (MFR), an established standard of care is outlined in the law, and those operating within these guidelines are protected under these laws. These same guidelines pertain to the personnel in your EMS system. If they are not trained and licensed MFRs, check the state laws to determine if lay rescuers are given limited liability immunity. If not, they may not be protected from litigation.


How much does an AED cost? The price of an AED varies by make and model. Most AEDs cost between $1,500–$2,000.


What steps should an organization take to buy an AED for its premises?Any person or entity wanting to buy an AED may first need to get a prescription from a physician. The AED should be placed for use within an AED program that includes these elements:

• Training of all users in CPR and operation of an AED (this can be achieved through the AHA's Heartsaver AED Course).

• Physician oversight to ensure appropriate maintenance and use of the AED.

• Notifying local EMS of the type and location of AED(s).


Can AEDs be used on children?Children over age 8 can be treated with a standard AED. For children ages 1–8, the AHA recommends the pediatric attenuated pads that are purchased separately. 


Which AED model should we buy?All AED models have similar features, but the slight differences between them allow them to meet a variety of needs. The AHA encourages potential buyers to consider all models and make a selection based on the buyer's particular needs. The local EMS system can help you with this decision.


Training How can I enroll in a CPR or AED class?Baldwin Area EMS runs a Training Center right here with monthly classes for individuals or classes for organizations/groups of five or more at any time simply call us to make arrangements! 715.684.3188 x 106 see the tabs above for class dates and time. Classes are stress free, about 3-4 hours in length, two year certification cards issued and generally under $25 per person.


www.AEDSuperstore.com


Automated External Defibrillator

 

About 250,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest usually results from some underlying form of heart disease. Most cardiac arrests are due to abnormal heart rhythms called arrythmias. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is the most common arrythmia that causes cardiac arrest. VF is the condition in which the heart’s electrical impulses suddenly become chaotic, often without warning. 
That causes the heart’s pumping action to abruptly stop. When cardiac arrest occurs, the victim loses consciousness, has no pulse and stops breathing normally. Death follows within minutes. Defibrillation is the only known therapy for VF. This technique of giving an electrical shock can restore the heart’s normal rhythm if it’s done within minutes of the arrest. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, a victim’s chances of survival decrease by 7 – 10%. After as little as ten minutes, very few resuscitation attempts are successful. Even the very best Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) experience delays from heavy traffic, weather, gated communities, large building complexes and high rise buildings. There the average arrival time for emergency vehicles is about 12 minutes. Not surprisingly, the cardiac survival rate is less than 2%. The American Heart Association (AHA) strongly encourages establishing public access defibrillation (PAD) programs as an important way to save the lives of thousands of cardiac arrest victims. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device used to administer an electric shock though the chest wall to the heart. Built-in computers assess the patient’s heart rhythm, judge whether defibrillation is needed and then administer the shock. Audible and/or visual prompts guide the user through the process. According to the AHA, defibrillation is the single most important factor in improving the out of hospital survival of a cardiac arrest patient. This is where the lay rescuer can have a profound effect on patient survival. Survival depends on a strong “Chain of Survival”. The Chain of Survival consists of Early Access (911), Early CPR, Early Defibrillation and Early Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Early defibrillation is the weakest part of the Chain of Survival. Your company and Baldwin Area EMS can strengthen the Chain of Survival.

Baldwin Area EMS is happy to provide you information on ordering a defibrillator from a Wisconsin company. We will also provide you with training on how to use the device, quality assurance, programs and where placement iit in your facilty, maintenance, and after action debreifing for your staff when it is used.

Please call us at 715.684.3188 x 106