Automated external defibrillator mandates

An AED should be present in any facility where people get together and there is a chance that a sudden cardiac arrest might occur. It could happen to anyone, anytime, anyplace. Some American States have presently passed laws that command the placement of AEDs in schools, health centers, day care facilities, offices, churches, theatres, airports, trains, busses, malls and other public places. It is also highly recommended that an AED is present in all work environments.

AED mandates - placement in public locations

For example, in New York the Assembly Bill AO4421 mandates the usage of AEDs in state institutions and buildings and was signed in September 2004. In Rhode Island , AEDs must be present in all health clubs, nursing homes and other facilities starting from July 2004. In Louisiana the bill was introduced in April 2004.

The placement of AEDs in schools has saved over 20 lives since 2002. In 2004 a law appeared according to which an AED should be in all state-owned buildings and health clubs that have over 500 members. This automated external defibrillator mandate

also implies that at least one trained member will know how to use the AED kit , but it is recommended that all members of such institutions have some basic training in this matter.

In 2005, the AED mandate becomes more specific, naming sports venues and indoor and outdoor performance spaces. Still religious service spaces are not mentioned. Neither are public associations and free libraries. The cost of an AED kit is between $1500 and $2500, but will save many important lives and is highly recommended by the American Heart Association. These AED mandates reveal that civic leaders are becoming aware of the importance of the AEDs in saving lives.

AED Requirements

The AED Legislation Requirements differ from one state to another and consists of 3 major requirements: physician requirements, training requirements and program registration requirements.

The Physician requirements are similar in all states, the requirements being for Licensed Physician or other equivalent titles.

The training requirements are different in almost each state varying form appropriate training in an American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or other nationally recognized CPR and AED course, or a corresponding nationally recognized course accepted by the State EMS Medical Director, to no training requirements at all. The tendency is, however, for most Automated external defibrillator mandates to encourage AED training

For example, in Florida in Collier County : EMS Department will coordinate a training class for any institution that requests such a course for all users of the AED. The course will be on the appropriate procedure of AEDs. The training will consist of one three hour class to include: History of Sudden Death, Signs and Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Proper Use and Maintenance of the Equipment and last but not least Periodic Inspection of the AED. This is the standardized curriculum of an AED basic training course.

AED mandates and training

The training must be "under an AED program administered by a physician" - the physician must set the training standards and has to use national training such as American Heart Association, American Red Cross or National Safety Council.

There are no training requirements in states like Michigan or Minnesota .

The program registration requirements usually consist of notification to the nearest EMS program, however, there are states where no registration requirements are needed: Utah , South Carolina , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , New Jersey , Michigan , Minnesota , Mississippi , Alaska , Arizona and Hawaii .

For more information on automated external defibrillator mandates and on products from AED manufacturers such as Zoll, Meditronic, Cardiac Science or Burdick, please see our other web pages.