Important Considerations When Purchasing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Share According to the American Heart Association, approximately 890 deaths from coronary heart disease occur outside of the hospital or emergency room every day. Most of these are due to the sudden loss of heart function, which is the type of event CPR and AEDs are designed to treat. In a study of Public-Access Defibrillation, communities with volunteers trained in the use of both CPR and AEDs had twice as many victims survive compared to communities with volunteers trained only in CPR. Because of their demonstrated benefit, many organizations, including churches, are choosing to incorporate AEDs in their emergency and First Aid programs. If your church is considering purchasing an AED, consider the following: Consult a local physician, as the units typically may only be purchased with a prescription. Formally train all designated users in CPR and AED operation. Inspect and maintain the units, per the manufacturer’s instructions. Notify your local fire department or Emergency Medical Service (EMS) provider that you have purchased a unit. Place the unit in a well-marked location that is easily accessible and ideally near a telephone. For example, they can be mounted on the wall in the front lobby, by exits or near elevators. Indicate the location of the unit in emergency maps and diagrams. Educate those who will be allowed to use the unit. Document any usage of the AED. Have a physician oversee the program. Tags SafeChurch Nonprofit & Human Service Religious Organization Small Business © 2024 GuideOne Insurance. GuideOne® is the registered trademark of the GuideOne Insurance Company. All rights reserved. This material is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to give specific legal or risk management advice, nor are any suggested checklists or action plans intended to include or address all possible risk management exposures or solutions. You are encouraged to retain your own expert consultants and legal advisors in order to develop a risk management plan specific to your own activities.