Complete information regarding AED programs can be found at the American Heart Association website.

About Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart abruptly and unexpectedly ceases to function. It is an "electrical problem" caused by a heart rhythm disorder called Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) where the heart is no longer able to pump blood to the rest of the body. Also known as Sudden Cardiac Death, SCA occurs approximately 1,000 times every day in the US, affecting over 325,000 Americans each year.

How to Maximize Survival
A major misconception is that calling 911 will save an SCA victim. Many factors combine to often make it extremely difficult for professional emergency response to an SCA event in the critical 3-5 minute timeframe. Contributing factors include traffic delays, inclement weather conditions, rural locations, slow elevators in high-rise buildings, locating the correct physical address, or locating the patient in large or crowded facilities. Unlike a 911 call, an on-site Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can be deployed within minutes of a SCA event, during the very small window of time crucial to survival.

What Is An Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a medical device that automatically analyzes a cardiac arrest victim's heart rhythm and advises a user to deliver a shock when appropriate. These portable devices are now widely available, highly reliable and, with proper training, easy to use and effective.

How Does An AED Work?
AEDs provide brief, but powerful, electrical stimulation to the chest, interrupting ventricular fibrillation to restore the heart's natural rhythm and, just as importantly, to restore the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain.

Electrodes are placed on the SCA victim to perform an echocardiogram (ECG). The AED automatically checks for a heartbeat and evidence of ventricular fibrillation. Voice and text prompts give step-by-step instructions programmed for the non-medical responder to send a shock to restart the heart if a ventricular abnormality is present. The AED will not send a shock to a healthy heart.

According to Robert Hickey, M.D., Chairman of the American Heart Associations Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee: When implemented as part of an overall emergency response plan, AED programs are scientifically proven to save more lives. Facilities with well planned programs are providing guests and employees the ultimate service being prepared to respond to life-threatening cardiac emergencies.