AED Program Coordinator, AED Program, Implement AED Program, Purchase AED, Automated External Defibrillator

Implementing an AED Program may seem like a challenging task, but it definitely doesn't have to be. With the 7 step guide process of implementing an AED Program, any organization can successfully complete this task. The first step in this process is to select an AED Program Coordinator.

When implementing an AED Program, selecting a Program Coordinator is essential to its success. Therefore, it is imperative that your organization choose the best person for the job and clearly outlines his/her responsibilities.

Who chooses the Program Coordinator?

The person and/or persons assigned to starting the AED Program. This person should have some experience with deploying Automated External Defibrillator (AED) or comparable safety programs.

Example: Human Resources, Executive Management, Risk Management, etc.

Who is the ideal person to be Program Coordinator?

From organization to organization, the background and job responsibilities of the Program Coordinator may vary greatly. However, the ideal person should have some medical or safety experience and their job function should include maintaining the well being of the organization.

Example: Nurse, Risk Manager, Safety Director.

What are the responsibilities of the Program Coordinator?

• To make organization aware of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and its location.
• Select Emergency Response Team and develop Response Plan.
• Review program with organization’s Medical Director.
• Register AED with local fire department.
• Be familiar with Local, State and National AED Laws/Regulations.
• Organize CPR/AED training for personnel, track renewal dates and schedule re-certifications.
• Perform monthly AED inspections and document results.
• Replace AED pads and batteries prior to their expiration or after use.
• Download post event data, review with Medical Director and debrief the individuals involved.

As you can see, the Program Coordinator has a large number of responsibilities and his/her success is directly related to the success of your AED Program. Therefore, selecting a Program Coordinator may be the single most important task in developing your program.

Contact HeartSafe America to find out more about implementing an AED Program and how we can help you implement your program. HeartSafe America's goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and how AEDs can increase the survival rate.

Philips HeartStart OnSite AED, Automated External Defibrillator, Purchase an AED

Purchasing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can be a difficult decision with numerous manufacturers to choose from and numerous different features. Therefore, understanding the differences and capabilities of each AED is key to selecting the proper AED for your organization.

The Philips HeartStart OnSite is the first automated external defibrillator (AED) to be cleared by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to be sold without a Physician’s Prescription. This clearance was received due to its ease of use which makes it applicable for business or home placement.

In addition to being easy to use, Philips has also made the Heartstart OnSite very affordable to increase wide spread access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

The Philips HeartStart OnSite has a long-life battery which will last 4 year s installed and 5 years on the shelf. The adult pads are pre-connected and ready for use at any time. The OnSite AED offers an infant/child pad that is to be used on any child 8 years or younger and 55lbs or less. The infant/child pads reduce the amount of energy delivered from the AED.

Furthermore, the Philips HeartStart OnSite has low-energy biphasic therapy which delivers an energy at a protocol of 150 Joules, 150 Joules, 150 Joules. In multiple peer-reviewed studies, this low-energy biphasic therapy has proven to be effective in treating Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) while minimizing post resuscitation heart damage.

In addition, the Philips Heartstart OnSite has countless features which make it one of the best AEDS on the market. However, below are a few key ones:

• “Pull” Tab – The “Pull” tab can be pulled to activate the AED. It is the only AED on the market that has the “Pull” tab feature. Many AED require the responder to push an on/off button to activate the AED.
• CPR Coaching – The OnSite has CPR Coaching. The CPR Coaching feature assists the responder on the frequency and the depth of the compressions.
• “I” Button – The “I” Button serves two purposes on the OnSite AED. The first purpose is to inform the owner of the AED that there is an issue with the AED. If your Philips OnSite AED is beeping, you can push the “I” button, and the AED will inform you as to what the issue is with the AED. The second purpose is to inform the EMS responders of the events of the emergency. The AED will give a recount of the event details that have occurred.
• Self Tests – The Onsite does daily, weekly and monthly self-tests to ensure its functionality. If it passes each, a “green light flashing” will appear signifying that it is “ready for use”.

Finally, due to its ease of use & economical price point, the Philips Heartstart Onsite has become the most widely distributed AED in the world and has proven to be ideal for deployment in the following organizations:

• Schools
• Churches
• Small Businesses
• Gyms

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about the Philips HeartStart OnSite AED and how to implement an AED Program. HeartSafe America's goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and how AEDs increase the survival rate.

Defibtech LifeLine AED; Automated External Defibrillator, SCA, Purchasing AED, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, CPR

Purchasing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can be a difficult decision with numerous manufacturers to choose from and numerous different features. Therefore, understanding the differences and capabilities of each AED is key to selecting the proper AED for your organization. Over the course of six weeks, we will review the top six AEDs on the market today.

One of the most user friendly devices on the market today is Defibtech Lifeline AED. With its bright yellow color, built in handle, large buttons and clear voice prompts, the Lifeline has been designed to be clearly visible, easy to transport and very easy to use.

The Defibtech LifeLine has text, lights, and voice prompts to assist the responder through the rescue. This feature makes it easy for any responder, trained or not, to feel confident during a rescue that he or she will be able to help save a life.

The Defibtech LifeLine has pre-connected adult pads. The pads sit in a pocket in the back of the AED so that they are ready for use at any time. The Defibtech LifeLine offers a 5 year battery or a 7 year battery for its AED.

The newest feature on the Defibtech LifeLine is the CPR Coaching Metronome. The metronome feature helps the responder know the rhythm of the CPR compressions and how often to give them.

The Defibtech LifeLine has an IP rating of 55. This IP rating is one of the highest IP ratings for an AED. The IP ratings vary from AED to AED. When an AED receives its IP rating it means that, that particular AED has been put through the solid (dust) and water particle test.

The Defibtech LifeLine performs self tests daily, weekly, and monthly to ensure the AED is fully functional. The status indicator light will flash to let the responder know that this AED is rescue ready at any time.

Some of the major business sectors that have equipped themselves with the Defibtech LifeLine include the following:

• School Districts
• Construction Companies
• Government Entities
• Churches

HeartSafe America assists organizations all over the United States with implementing their AED Programs. One of the organizations that HeartSafe America has worked with is Pearland ISD, a school district in Texas. Pearland ISD owns the Defibtech LifeLine AEDs, and this school district has recently had to use the Defibtech LifeLine AED to receive a student who was at practice for his sport and collapsed. The student went into Sudden Cardiac Arrest and because Pearland ISD had the Defibtech LifeLine on site, this student had a fighting chance. This student survived Sudden Cardiac Arrest due to the fact that there was an AED present.

To view more about this story, CLICK HERE.

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about the Defibtech LifeLine AED and how to implement your AED Program. HeartSafe America’s goal is to educate the public about sudden cardiac arrest and how AEDs increase the survival rate.

AEDs in the workplace; automated external defibrillators, sudden cardiac arrest, SCA, CPR Training, OSHA

Many organizations struggle with the thought of purchasing an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the workplace due to the fact that many organizations are unaware of what the AED’s purpose is and how it can save lives. Understanding the benefit of an AED in the workplace could save a life.

Is there a benefit of having AEDs in the work place?

The answer to this question is absolutely!

In our continuous effort to educate the public about the benefits of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), HeartSafe recently blogged about the American Heart Association’s three minute from “drop to shock” rule. This clearly illustrates the benefit of having AEDs in the work place for several reasons.

It is a common misconception that local EMS are able to respond to the scene of an accident immediately. It is important to realize that the national average response time for local EMS ranges anywhere from 6 to 12 minutes. Being aware of this information is key to survival. With every minute that passes, a victim in sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) loses a 7%-10% chance of survival if not defibrillated. Unfortunately, a victim is facing only a 40% chance of survival if EMS arrives at the six-minute mark.

Envision a normal office setting and your colleague or business partner is sitting in a cubicle next to you and all of the sudden he starts having chest pains and loss of breath. He then falls out of his chair on to the floor unconscious. It appears he has had a heart attack which has lead to cardiac arrest. You immediately call 911 and the clock starts ticking. You quickly retrieve the AED onsite, begin CPR, then apply the pads of the AED on the chest and follow the guidance the AED verbally gives you to begin treatment. The device begins analyzation and tells you to push the shock button to deliver the first shock. Your colleague comes to and appears to wake up. You continue to care for him until EMS has arrived, but he is now conscious and can answer you when you speak to him. EMS finally arrives after 8 minutes and begins to care for him.

This example provides clarity on why having AED’s in the work place is a necessity! An article by the Department of Labor Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) states that in 1999 – 2000 815 out of 6339 fatalities (13%) in the work place were due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The conclusions of this article determined that “The earlier defibrillation is administered, the better chance at survival for the victim.” The proper placement and implementation of AEDs and CPR/AED Heartsaver training in the work environment helps “bridge” the gap between the time a victim has a cardiac event, to the time when EMS arrives on the scene to take over.

CLICK HERE to view the OSHA article.

Understanding what Sudden Cardiac Arrest is and accepting that it can affect anyone, at any age, at any given moment emphasizes the importance of AEDs in the work place. After all, the life you save may be great friend or colleague.

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about the benefits of AEDs in the work place. HeartSafe America's goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and how AEDs can increase the survival rate.

AED Replacement Accessories; Expiring AED Parts, Automated External Defibrillator, Good Samaritan

All Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have pads and batteries with expiration dates and must be replaced according to the expiration date.

Once an organization or company has equipped themselves with an automated external defibrillator (AED), it is imperative that inspections are performed on a monthly basis. Not only are monthly inspections a prerequisite for the Good Samaritan law, but it also reminds the organization when the pads and batteries expire.

Below are some commonly asked questions regarding replacement parts.

Why do my AED electrode pads expire?

• AED electrode pads are comprised of an adhesive gel and tin. Once they exceed their expiration date, they may not be able to function properly or will lose their ability to “stick” to a victim. Manufacturers cannot guarantee that the pads will function past their expiration date. Just like a band aid, AED electrode pads tend to dry out faster once exposed to air.

When do my pads expire?

• AED pads expire typically every two years. Manufacturers such as HeartSine and Zoll use a different formula which allows the pads to last longer than two years.

How often will I have to replace my batteries?

• Like the electrode pads, each manufacturer has a different expiration date. Battery expiration dates or shelf life can vary anywhere from 2 years to 7 years. The battery shelf life is not a set date and varies manufacturer to manufacturer. The shelf life date can usually be found on the battery.

Does my AED battery have an expiration date listed on it?

• Yes. Most batteries have an expiration date with the exception of Cardiac Science. Cardiac Science lists when the battery was manufactured versus the battery shelf life.

Should I purchase an extra set of pads or battery?

• This is not a legal statue or precedent that requires a spare pad be available. However, it is always a good idea to have an extra battery or set of pads, just in case the primary is not functionality proper. Most manufacturers will include a spare set of pads in their initial AED Ship Set.

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about replacement accessories for your AED or to place an order for your replacement accessories. HeartSafe America's goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and how AEDs can increase the survival rate.

Philips Voluntary Recall; AED, Automated External Defibrillator, Defibrillator

Philips has announced a voluntary recall on the Philips HeartStart OnSite and the Philips HeartStart FRx automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

The Philips voluntary recall that has been issued is for a small amount of affected Philips OnSites and Philips FRx AEDs. The reason for this voluntary recall is due to the fact that a relay in the devices is not up to Philips' performance standards. The affected relays came from one manufacture and were in a single lot. There have been no reports of the device's relay failing, but the potential of failure does not meet Philips' standards.

The Philips AEDs that were affected by the recall were manufactured during March 2010. Philips is contacting the customers directly in regards to this matter.

If you have not been contacted and you are concerned that your AED may be part of the recall, you can input your serial number and it will search their system to verify that your AED is or is not on the recall list. Click here to input your serial number.

It read more about the recall, please CLICK HERE.

Contact HeartSafe America if you have any questions regarding your AED, AED replacement accessories, or general questions about AEDs and Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Our goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest and how AEDs can increase the survival rate.

CPR & AED Awareness Week; AED, Automated External Defibrillators, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, SCA, CPR, CPR Training

CPR & AED Awareness Week has been created by the American Heart Association to promote the importance of being trained in CPR and how automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can help to increase the survival rate from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

CPR & AED Awareness week is from June 1 through June 7, 2010. The goal of the American Heart Association (AHA) is to inform the public about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and how CPR can help to save a life. Along with CPR, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are use to revive patients suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

HeartSafe America is an official AHA training site for CPR and AED training courses. HeartSafe America’s goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest and how CPR and AEDs can help to increase the survival rate.

Have you considered CPR Training? Interested in an AED for your organization?

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about CPR Training and how your organization can implement an AED Program.

AED Post Event Review, Automated External Defibrillator, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, SCA, Event Review

Not sure what to do after using your AED during an emergency? Every Automated External Defibrillator (AED) has the ability to record the event that takes place during an emergency. All AEDs store event information and it can be downloaded from the AED for review.

Hopefully at this point your organization has purchased an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to protect your members and staff from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The possibility of using the AED, while slim, is definitely real. Therefore, it is very important to know how to use the AED and equally as important to know what to do after a usage.

Once an event has occurred, positive or negative, you must download the event data and forward it to the responding Physician and your Medical Director. Currently, every device on the market will record a minimum of 15 minutes of ECG analysis. Furthermore, some devices can record up to 8 hours of ECG or a short duration of both audible and ECG data. To find out your device's capability, consult your user's manual.

To download the event data, you must first have a computer with the appropriate manufacture's software. Most manufactures offer a basic version which can be downloaded for "Free" from the following sites:

• Cardiac Science Rescuelink
  Download link: Must contact Cardiac Science Tech Support to obtain link
• HeartSine EVO Saver Software
  Download Link: http://www.heartsine.com/index.php?page_id=152
• Defibtech Event Review Software
  Download Link: http://www.defibtech.com/downloads_utilities.html
• Physio Control LIFENET DT Express
  Download Link: CD Only, Field Service Rep can perform download for small fee.
• Philips Review Express
  Download Link
• Welch Allyn Smartlink Event Pro Software
  Download Link: Must send device in
• Zoll Rescue Net Code Review
  Download Link: http://www.zolldata.com/web/codeReview.aspx
  

After the software has been downloaded to your computer, the AED must be connected directly to the computer to review the event data. Currently, there are two methods for connecting and accessing this data:

• IRDA Adapter: Adapater connects through the computer's USB and allows the data to be transferred from the AED to the computer by lining up the infarred windows.
  Definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_Data_Association
  
• Data Cable: Cable connects through the computer's USB port and allows data to be transferred through a direct connection between the AED and the computer.

After a connection has been established, the manufacture's software program should be run to receive "event data" from the AED. After the data is downloaded, it can be emailed or printed depending on the software's capabilities.Finally, after the data download is complete, it is imperative that the pads and/or battery be replaced so the AED can be placed back into service.

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about post even reviews and purchasing replacement AED accessories. Our goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest and how AEDs can help increase the survival rate of SCA.

Data Management Solutions; AED Tracking, AED Program, Automated External Defibrillator, SCA

Data Management Solution program is a simple way for any organization to keep their AED program on track. The AED Program Coordinator will be able to track each of the AEDs using our Data Management Solution program.

When implementing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program, performing monthly inspections, tracking replacement part expiration dates and monitoring CPR/AED training renewals can be time consuming and difficult to keep up with.

Therefore, in an effort to assist organizations in maintaining a successful and legally compliant AED Program, HeartSafe America has developed a proprietary web-based tracking program with the following features and functionality:

• Stores a master list of all AEDs, locations and contact personnel.
• Provides quick reference to AED serial numbers and all part numbers.
• Monthly inspection log which sends email reminders if inspection is not performed.
• Tracks replacement part expiration dates and sends email notifications.
• Designated section to document incidents and log event data.
• Tracks CPR/AED certified personnel and sends email renewal reminders.
• Numerous comprehensive reports to help AED Coordinator easily manage AED Program.
• Multiple security levels to limit user access based on AED Program responsibilities.

This software program is known as our “Data Management Solution (DMS)” and is currently being used by numerous Fortune 1000 companies.

Many organizations have similar questions as to why our Data Management Solution (DMS) program would be a good fit for their organization. At HeartSafe America, we want to ensure that every one our clients experiences the benefits of our DMS program. Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about our Data Management Solution program.

How will the data management solutions program be beneficial to my organization?

Our Data Management Solution (DMS) program allows an organization to manage their AED Program by organizing device information in a centralized web-based location for quick access. Having this information organized and readily available eliminates confusion, duplication and most importantly, keeps the AEDs “rescue ready”.

If my organization has AED in different locations, will my organization be able to track these AEDS?

Our DMS allows any organization to track an AED regardless of location. Once an AED is entered into the system, it is assigned to a specific location where the location can be viewed by the Site Coordinator and AED Program Coordinator regardless of geographic location.

Will the program notify my organization to perform the monthly inspections?

Monthly inspection reminders are sent out each month on the designated inspection date to the Site Coordinator or assigned inspector. If the inspection is not performed on the designated inspection date, the DMS will continue to email reminders until inspection is performed and entered into the system. These reminders should insure that your monthly inspections are being performed, keeping your organization legally compliant and your devices operational.

Will the DMS Program alert my organization when pads and batteries expire?

When your AED is entered into our DMS Program, the expiration dates for all replacement parts are documented. Then, at 90, 60 and 30 days prior to expiration, the DMS will automatically send an email reminder to Site Coordinator, Backup Site Coordinator and Program Coordinator alerting them to replace this part.

Can my organization track the personnel with CPR/AED training and when their renewals are due?

Our DMS allows your organization to input trained personnel along with their renewal date and certificate type. Then, at 60 and 30 days prior to the renewal, our DMS will automatically send an email reminder to the email address designated in this section.

If an emergency should happen and the AED is used, can my organization log the incident?

Our DMS has an incident log which can be utilized to track any instance when the AED is used. Whether the outcome is successful, unsuccessful or a non event, this information is an important historical reference to be utilized for comparison and training purposes.

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out how our data management solutions program can be an asset to your organization’s AED program. Our goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and how AEDs can decrease the lives lost to SCA.

HeartSafe America; AED Program, AED Implementation, Automated External Defibrillator, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, SCA, AED Laws, CPR Training

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program is key to reducing the number of deaths that occur from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Our 7 step process based on the American Heart Association’s recommendations will assist any organization in implementing an AED program.

As a result of the American Heart Association, state legislation and notable deaths such as Tim Russert (Moderator of NBC’s “Meet The Press”), Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) awareness is at an all-time high. Therefore, many churches, schools, and corporations are proactively protecting their members from this deadly disease with Automated External Defibrillators (AED). While buying an AED does not guarantee every victim will be saved, it will substantially increase survival rates from 5% to 65-75%. However, in order to achieve maximum results, a comprehensive program must be implemented. Below is a list of steps to do so:

1. Select a Program Coordinator:
   Accountability is the key to any project. Therefore, a single individual must be selected to implement the program and maintain it after initial deployment is completed.
2. Get Decision Makers Support:
   In any organization, it all starts at the top. Therefore, in order for the program to gain notoriety and thrive financially, support from executive leadership is needed. Since most Decision Makers are subjected to large amounts of stress and long hours, SCA should be a concern for them and gaining support should be easy once the facts are presented.
3. Review State & Federal Laws:
   Laws exist to protect people. Therefore, to implement an effective program, the Coordinator must familiarize himself or herself with the Laws that have been put in place to protect those who purchase AEDs and use them.
4. Obtain Medical Oversight:
   As lay people, we may not understand the full scope of implementing an AED Program. Therefore, employing a Medical Professional to oversee program development, deployment and maintenance will have a profound impact on its success. Think of it as a “Technical Support Plan” for your computer. **In some states, Medical Direction and Oversight is a requirement**
5. AED Selection:
   When selecting an AED, research and compare the features of different devices to find the one that best fits your organizational needs. If possible, work with a multi-line AED Distributor who can help you understand the key differences between the devices and consult on the selection.
6. AED Placement:
   If I had to rank the importance of each step, AED Placement would be at the very top. Since AED and AED Cabinets are not the most attractive pieces of décor, many organizations try to hide them or unknowingly place them in inappropriate spots. However, in order to achieve the American Heart Association’s goal of three minutes from drop to “shock”, AEDs must be placed in high traffic, centrally located areas near other emergency medical equipment. In following this recommendation, the device will be very visible and easily accessible if a Sudden Cardiac Arrest occurs.
7. Training:
   All AEDs on the market today have clear prompts, which guide the responder through the save. However, as the old saying goes: “practice makes perfect”. Therefore, it is highly recommend that your entire organization attend a CPR/AED training course administered by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross or equivalent training organization. If training everyone is cost prohibitive, select an appropriate number of individuals to be designated as an Emergency Response Team and have them trained.

Once these steps have been completed, the real work begins. During the initial deployment, enthusiasm and interest will be extremely high. However, after training is completed and the AEDs are placed in their cabinets, most will forget that they exist. Therefore, the Program Coordinator will be responsible for keeping the program compliant and visible. Below is a list of ongoing AED Program responsibilities:

• Monthly Inspections: Every month, the AED(s) must be inspected to ensure functionality. This inspection consists of checking the status indicator and the pad expiration dates (Adult & Pediatric). If the status indicator is “flashing” and the pads are within the expiration, the device is “Rescue Ready”.
• CPR/AED Training: Depending on the training curriculum which your organization has chosen, training renewals will occur every year or every other year. Therefore, the Program Coordinator must track the renewals and schedule re-certifications.
• Ongoing Awareness: As new members join the organization and old members forget, periodic AED reminders should be published. These reminders should include AED location, list of trained responders and protocol for responding.

Deciding to purchase an AED is a great decision and an excellent benefit for your members and/or employees but this decision cannot be validated without proper deployment. Therefore, it is essential that you follow these steps to ensure that if the time arises, your AED Program is prepared to save a life!

Contact HeartSafe America to find out more about implementing your AED program for your organization. HeartSafe America offers six of the top AED manufacturers. Our goal is to help educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest and how AEDs can help decrease the number of deaths from Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

HeartSafe America: Sudden Cardiac Arrest, SCA, AED, Automated External Defibrillator, Drop to Shock

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for over 300,000 lives per year. Therefore, to lessen the odds of another life being lost, it is critical that every business, school, and church equip themselves with an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Early defibrillation is the essential key to surviving a Sudden Cardiac Arrest and the 3^rd link in the American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival. In order to give a victim an optimal chance to live, the American Heart Association recommends defibrillation within the first 3-5 minutes. A victim's chances of surviving SCA decrease by 7-10% with every minute that passes without defibrillation. Therefore, a cardiac arrest victim who does not receive a shock within 8-10 minutes has less than a 20% chance of survival. Unfortunately, few attempts at resuscitation succeed after 10 minutes.

Once an organization has made a proactive decision to protect its members with an Automated External Defibrillator, placement is key to optimizing response times. When determining the location, it is ideal to use a three-minute time frame or the “drop to shock” principle. Once the victim “drops”, the rescuer has ideally no more than three minutes to retrieve the AED, return to the victim, apply the pads and deliver the first shock. This principle will also help determine the number of AEDs needed to sufficiently cover a facility.

An AED should be placed in high traffic, easily accessible area such as a hallway, lobby, or other area where people congregate. When an area has been identified, the AED should be mounted near other emergency medical equipment (First Aid Kit, Fire Alarm).

In addition to determining the correct number of AEDs and placement, there are several other important elements to deploying a successful AED program such as designating a program director, medical oversight, selecting an AED, notifying local EMS and implementing a training program.

Contact HeartSafe America to find out more about sudden cardiac arrest and how your organization can save lives by using the “drop to shock” principle to equip your organization with AEDs. HeartSafe America’s goal is to educate the public about sudden cardiac arrest and how AEDs can save lives.

HeartSafe America; CPR Training, CPR, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, AHA

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is one of the most basic forms of training an individual can receive to assist a victim during an emergency. Understanding how CPR can be effective during an emergency is important. Training in CPR can make a big difference in the survival rate of a victim.

Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about CPR.

What is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is the process of using chest compressions along with breaths to restore a victim’s heartbeat and breathing.CPR is performed when a victim has stopped breathing and he or she has no pulse.CPR provides a continuous flow of oxygen and blood throughout the body.Our brains can only survive 5 minutes without oxygen without doing permanent damage.CPR can double the survival rate of a victim that has no pulse and has stopped breathing.

What are the current CPR guidelines?

Currently, the American Heart Association recommends that a responder use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation along with chest compressions to perform proper CPR.The AHA guidelines recommend two breaths to 30 chest compressions. Of course, the AHA guidelines are updated every 5 years to increase the rate of survival from using CPR.

If you are a responder and you are unable or unwilling to provide breaths to the victim, then the AHA recommends doing a chest compressions only method.The chest compressions only method still gives the victim a fighting chance at survival.

What is the purpose of CPR Training?

CPR is a simple procedure that can be performed by anyone, but with proper training the responder has a better chance of helping the victim to survive. Being prepared for any situation whether it is an emergency or non-emergency is important.

CPR Training is one of the most basic methods of rescue that any individual could be prepared for. Anyone can be a victim of drowning, sudden cardiac arrest, or other medical condition which can cause the heart to stop.With CPR Training, a responder will learn how to perform effective chest compressions to keep blood and oxygen flowing to the brain and to give breaths that keep oxygen in the lungs.

Do you or your organization need CPR Training?

HeartSafe America offers a variety of life saving courses to equip individuals with the knowledge of how to aid a victim during an emergency.HeartSafe America offers the following life saving courses:

• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider
• Heartsaver CPR Training & AED Use
• Heartsaver CPR Training with Infant
• Heartsaver CPR Training & AED Use with Infant
• Heartsaver First Aid Only
• Heartsaver First Aid & CPR Training
• Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid with Infant
• Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid without Infant
• Blood Borne Pathogens Training

HeartSafe America is an official American Heart Association Training Site that trains individuals as well as large organizations in life saving courses.

Contact HeartSafe America today to get more information about the life saving courses offered and to register yourself or your organization for the courses.

Philips Issues Worldwide Recall of Select HeartStart FR2+ AEDs

On September 28, 2009, Philips announced a worldwide recall on the HeartStart FR2+ AEDS. The recall is a voluntary recall, it was not mandated by the FDA. Philips is recalling the HeartStart FR2+ AEDs that were manufactured during May, 2007 thru Janurary, 2008.

The reason for the recall is due to a faulty memory chip in the Philips HeartStart FR2+ AED. Philips is concerned that the memory chip may fail and cause the AED not to function properly.

If you are concerned that your Philips HeartStart FR2+ AED may be part of the recall, you can click on the link below and check your serial number. If you have any questions in regards to the recall or your HeartStart AED, you can contact Philips at 1-800-263-3342.

www.philips.com/FR2PlusAction

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BOMA Associations HeartSafe America, Inc. Dallas TX

HeartSafe America, Inc. Press Release

HeartSafe America and HeartSine Technologies announced the donation of thirteen HeartSine Samaritan(R) PAD automated external defibrillators (AED) to local associations of the BOMA Southwest Region. These associations cover Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

DALLAS, May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Southwest Conference meeting in Houston, Texas, HeartSafe America and HeartSine Technologies announced the donation of thirteen HeartSine Samaritan(R) PAD automated external defibrillators (AED) to local associations of the BOMA Southwest Region. These associations cover Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Because one American dies approximately every two minutes from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and because SCA is a leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming an estimated 325,000 lives each year, HeartSafe America and HeartSine are hoping to spread awareness of the need for additional CPR training and the need for AED in the workplace. As many as 30 to 50 percent of SCA victims would likely survive if CPR and AED were used within five minutes of collapse. Used together, these tools can mean the difference between life and death.

The HeartSine Samaritan PAD automatic external defibrillator is ideal for BOMA member businesses and offers the following key benefits:

• Ease of use - designed for the minimally trained user, and suitable for rescuers of all skill levels, voice and visual prompts guide each step of the rescue.
• Low cost of ownership - the patented Pad-Pak contains both batteries and electrodes in one cost-effective, easy-to-replace cartridge, with only one expiration date to monitor.
• Durable and portable - designed to be used in most any environmental condition.

In addition to the donation program, HeartSafe America is also offering a generous discount to all BOMA members in the Southwest Region, and to tenants of member facilities.

Each of the following BOMA associations was offered the free AED donation: Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Little Rock, and North Little Rock.

SOURCE HeartSafe America, Inc.Copyright©2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.