Co-workers standing over an employee who is experiencing cardiac arrest

It’s a simple truth: AEDs save lives. But while selecting the right defibrillators for your building or facility is a solid first step it is also critical to adopt an effective (and sustainable) AED training and maintenance strategy.

Starting an AED program? Consider these essentials:

Select the AEDs that fit: Not all AEDs are created equal. Factors such as the type of visitor traffic need to be considered when selecting a unit. Work with a reputable supplier to assess your requirements.

Quantity and location: When choosing how many AEDs to implement and where to install them, remember the “3-minute rule”: When someone drops from a cardiac arrest event, you have three minutes to administer an AED for the best chance of a successful outcome. 

Provide AED training:  AED training on your specific AED unit is recommended even if you have completed CPR/First Aid training. When an emergency strikes, your team needs to be confident, quick, and efficient when using an AED device. Providing initial training is important, but it’s also key to provide ongoing education and awareness to ensure these skills stay fresh. 

Remember the maintenance: AEDs don’t require much maintenance, but a basic maintenance program is needed to ensure the device and its accessories (Battery & Pads) stay “rescue-ready”. Consult with a trusted AED supplier to learn when key components should be reviewed and what else might be required.

Update your emergency plans: Do you have an emergency response plan (ERP)? Does it include your AEDs? Review your ERP to make sure it includes AED locations and other key details. And if you don’t have an ERP, there’s no better time to start making one than now.

Choose an AED champion: Staff engagement is critical to an AED program. The challenge, however, is keeping that engagement alive. It helps to assign someone on your team to champion and/or coordinate AED training and maintenance activities so that they remain top of mind. 

Promote AED awareness: All building occupants should know where to find an AED in an emergency. This can be done through electronic communications (e.g., email, building management websites, social media, etc.), tenant/resident training programs, printed media, or when speaking with tenants and visitors. 

Partner with a reputable AED company: AED.ca is committed to making AEDs available and accessible everywhere. That means helping clients design and embed effective AED programs, and providing support whenever needed. AED programs can save lives, so always feel free to ask for help. 

There are no cookie-cutter AED programs. Each condo, apartment, office, facility, or public space, home will have unique factors that need to be weighed. The good news is that it’s easy to select AEDs that fit your situation and design programs that will ultimately save lives. 

 Remember, you don’t have to go it alone. Connect with us at www.aed.ca  at any time for products, support, and AED program advice.  We are proud to be Canada’s AED Company.

 

 

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