Making the Case for AEDs Government Recreation & Fitness, January 2005 According to the American Heart Association (AHA), about 250,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest, That's about 700 per day. Cardiac arrest usually results from some underlying form of heart disease. Most cardiac arrests are due to abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmia. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is the most common arrhythmia that causes cardiac arrest. When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, the heart's pumping action stops abruptly, the victim loses consciousness, has no pulse and stops breathing normally. Death follows within minutes without defibrillation. "Defibrillation is the only known therapy for VF," explains AHA. ''This technique of giving an electrical shock can restore the hearts normal rhythm if it is done within minutes of the arrest. For every minute that passes without de-fibrillation, a victims chance of survival decreases by 7-10 percent. After as little as 10 minutes, very few resuscitation attempts are successful. "Traditionally, the ability to defibrillate was solely in the hands of emergency medical personnel. They were trained to interpret arrhythmia and determine when a shock was needed. Survival depended on the emergency medical services (EMS) system being contacted and arriving quickly." Unfortunately, quick EMS response isn't always possible. explains AHA. "Even the very best EMS systems experience delays from heavy traffic, secured buildings, gated communities, large building complexes and high-rises. For example, in one major U.S. city where emergency response teams fight extreme traffic, the average arrival time for emergency vehicles is about 12 minutes. Not surprisingly, the cardiac arrest survival rate is less than 2 percent." Today a new generation of defibrillators, called automated external defibrillators (AEDs), makes it possible for trained lay rescuers to deliver defibrillation. The new AEDs are safe, effective, lightweight, low maintenance, easy to use and relatively inexpensive (about $1,250 - $3,000 each). Having trained lay rescuers equipped with AEDs in settings where large numbers of people congregate saves precious minutes and improves survival rates for cardiac arrest victims. "There really is an extreme need for AEDs and a long way to go in educating people about this urgency," says Paul Mangino, director of medical & safety products, Circle of Life, division of America's Pride, Inc. With a degree in cardiopulmonary science, and a. history of working in hospitals throughout Boston. Mangino feels passionately about his job of educating people on the importance of choosing the right AED and getting an AED program in place. "Unfortunately people usually wait for something to happen before they realize the need for an AED. Also, we need to make them aware of how easy AEDs are to obtain and establish a program. Companies such as Zoll Medical and Cardiac Science make a number of excellent models that are user-friendly and guide people through the entire process." Paul Samide of Vital Ten, who reps Zoll's line of AEDs through the General Services Administration (GSA), agrees on the importance of raising awareness. "The statistics tell the whole story - if you don't get to someone within a couple of minutes the odds of survival go way down. We have already seen the high success rates of such places as casinos, where AEDs are saving 60 to 70 percent of lives." Samide points out the AEDs should not intimidate people. "There is a study where a 6-year-old was able to replicate the use of an AED, which is a great illustration of how easy AEDs are to use." The American Heart Association strongly encourages establishing an AED program as an important way to save the lives of thousands of sudden cardiac arrest victims, To ensure that AEDs outside the EMS are used safely and effectively, the American Heart Association recommends implementation of an AED Program. The elements of an AED Program are: Training designated lay rescuers in CPR and use of an AED. Having physician oversight to help ensure quality control. Integrating with local EMS system. Using and maintaining AEDs according to the manufacturer's specifications. "It is vitally important to look into more than just buying an AED." says Tracy Byers, director of business development, cardiac resuscitation, Philips. "You need to develop a program and get the proper people trained. That is an important part of our job as manufacturers, to help facilities set up a program, and get them in the right places." Studies published have shown that AEDs save lives. Using these studies the American Heart Association and other supporters have lobbied to enact changes in national, state and local laws, allowing companies to put defibrillators into employees' hands without fear of legal retribution. In short, says AHA, anyone (trained or untrained) who uses an AED in an attempt to save a person's life receives immunity from civil liability if the company can prove it has done the following: Notified/registered the company's AED with the local EMS medical director. Properly maintained the AED (check batteries, operations, etc.). Trained select individuals in the company who would most likely be expected to use the AED in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. The following is a summation of the Florida statutes (more information of these statutes can be found at www.leg.state.fl.us) 768.13 - is the Good Samaritan law. It cites that nay person, who gratuitously and in good faith renders emergency care, without objection of the injured victim, shall not be held liable for any civil damages. 768.1325 - is known as the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (CASA) states that both the person who uses an AED and the person who acquired the AED are immune from civil liability. 401.2915 - The Legislature states that "an AED may be used by any person for the purpose of saving the life of another person in cardiac arrest." Anyone identified as a designated user of an AED in a company must receive CPR-AED training and must call 9-1-1 if an AED is used. The state of Florida encourages every company that buys an AED to register it with their local EMS medical director. The following is a summation of the national Cardiac Arrest Survival Act(CASA): H.R. 2498 - (Now public law 106-505) If a Good Samaritan building owner or renter acts in good faith to purchase or use an AED to save a life, this law will provide protection from unfair lawsuits. There have been numerous lawsuits awarded for an organization's failure to have an AED at the time of a sudden cardiac arrest. No lawsuit has ever been awarded for the attempted use of an AED, notes AHA.

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