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All American Red Cross Adult and Child CPR courses contain defibrillation skills and information. We invite you to learn more about the technology and training that could save the life of a
co-worker, family member or a friend by contacting your local American Red Cross chapter.
Thanks to any easy–to–use, portable device called an automated external defibrillator (AED) and training from your American Red Cross, ordinary people can be lifesavers. By delivering an electric shock to the heart, an AED can restore a heart's normal rhythm. Immediate use of an AED, in conjunction with CPR, can save a life.
The Red Cross has already done the research.
The American Red Cross knows how to save lives. We have been a leader in the health and safety industry for more than 90 years. Now, the Red Cross has approved three AED manufacturers and their products as a part of our life–saving family. The Zoll, Philips and Medtronic companies were selected for the life–saving technology of their AEDs and their corporate financial strength.
Let us be your AED consultant.
Why deal with multiple sales people or an unknown Internet store? Calhoun/Branch County's Red Cross can be your one contact for implementing your AED program. We'll be there through the entire process – from helping you select the right AED to providing OSHA–approved training at your facility.
Red Cross is your one–stop–shop for AEDs with national AED pricing advantages, training courses and associated vendors. There are many choices to make when it comes to implementing an AED program for your business or organization, and we can provide unbiased information and demonstrations in a non-pressure atmosphere.
For pricing, product details and training information, please contact Angie Gresley at 269 962-7528.
The American Red Cross receives a non-tax deductible donation from the AED manufacturers for each AED we place in the community to help us promote training and other community programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (Table of Contents)
What is an AED program?
An AED program is a plan that can be developed in a workplace.
What does AED stand for?
AED stands for automated external defibrillator. An AED is a machine that can restart a heart that has stopped beating effectively. It is about the size of a laptop computer. It automatically analyzes a heart's rhythm and delivers an electric shock to the heart if the heart has an abnormal heart rhythm.
Why is the use of AEDs important?
AEDs are important because they can restart a normal heart rhythm to a heart that has stopped beating effectively. For every minute defibrillation is delayed, a victim's chance of survival drops about 10%.
How does an AED work?
An AED is easy to operate. It uses voice prompts to instruct the rescuer. Once the machine is turned on, the rescuer will be prompted to apply two electrodes provided with the AED to the victim's chest. Once applied, the AED will begin to monitor the victim's heart rhythm. If a "shockable" rhythm is detected, the machine will charge itself and instruct the rescuer to stand clear of the victim and to press the shock button.
Are AED's hard to use?
No. AEDs are easy to use and have audio prompts that guide the user operating the device.
Do AED programs differ based on the environment?
Yes. Each AED program will differ based on the needs of the organization; however, the initial steps necessary to form the basis for the program are similar.
What are some things to consider when developing an AED program?
Assessment.
Determine the needs for your environment. How many devices are necessary? How long will it take EMS to arrive at your location? How long will it take EMS to arrive at the site of the emergency; are there obstacles such as stairs, secured doors, etc.?
Funding.
Determine the budget necessary to purchase the equipment, train employees, volunteers or other staff and provide program maintenance.
Legislation.
Understand the current laws concerning AED use in your state. Please consult with your legal advisor or local state EMS department for further information on the most current AED legislation in your state.
Implementation.
Determine if your organization needs an internal implementation team to manage the program or needs to purchase a solution package to provide management oversight. The management of the program could include a program point of contact, medical direction, program maintenance, data management, development of protocols and response plans.
What type of support is needed for staffing an AED program?
Organizations should consider the possible salary costs for program staff that are designated to respond in an emergency; any OSHA requirements, such as Blood Borne Pathogens training and vaccinations and quality assurance requirements.
What is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?
Sudden cardiac arrest cases are usually due to abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias, the vast majority of which are ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation is a condition in which the heart's electrical impulses suddenly become chaotic, causing the heart to cease pumping blood effectively. Victims of SCA collapse and quickly lose consciousness, often without warning. Unless a normal heart rhythm is restored, death will follow within a matter of minutes. The cause of sudden cardiac arrest is not well understood. Many victims have no history of heart disease, or if heart disease is present, it has not functionally impaired them. Unlike a heart attack, which is the death of muscle tissue from loss of blood supply, many victims of SCA have no prior symptoms. SCA can strike anyone, at any time, anywhere.
How common is SCA and who is at risk?
SCA is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It strikes more than 200,000 Americans each year: nearly one death every two minutes.
What is the current treatment for sudden cardiac arrest?
The cardiac chain of survival is the current treatment for sudden cardiac arrest.
What is the cardiac chain of survival?
The cardiac chain of survival is a series of four critical steps. All four steps of the chain must be present to help ensure survival from sudden cardiac arrest. The four steps are:
Step one: Early access to care (calling 9–1–1 or another emergency number)
Step two: Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Step three: Early defibrillation
Step four: Early advanced cardiac life support, as needed
The third step, delivering an electrical shock to the heart, which is known as defibrillation, is recognized as the most critical step in restoring cardiac rhythm and resuscitating a victim of SCA.
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How do AED's strengthen the "Cardiac Chain of Survival"?
Early defibrillation by an AED is one of the four links in the "Cardiac Chain of Survival" for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The first step is early activation of the Emergency Medical Services by calling 911 or your local emergency number; step two is to provide early CPR to the victim; step three is to provide early defibrillation (with and AED); and the fourth is early advanced life support, which includes care by paramedics and transport to the hospital.
If an AED is so easy to use, why do I need training?
Training is necessary in order to understand the role of defibrillation in the broader context of the cardiac chain of survival. Training in CPR and AED skills will enable the rescuer to use all the steps in the cardiac chain of survival, thereby significantly increasing the victim's chance of survival.
How can I get trained in the use of an AED?
Contact your local American Red Cross for a listing of training classes. The Red Cross offers half–day courses that include CPR and AED skills and comprehensive, daylong sessions that also include first aid. These interactive courses are taught by certified Red Cross instructors and use hands–on practice scenarios and videos that reflect a variety of situations. Each participant receives a skills card for use during in-class practice sessions. The skills cards can also aid in retaining skills after completing the course and serves as a quick reference tool in an emergency.
How much training is required to use an AED?
The new Red Cross Adult CPR/AED training course can be completed in 4.5 hours. Persons taking this course do not need to know Adult CPR prior to taking it. The Red Cross AED course for professional rescuers can be completed in four hours and requires that participants know how to perform Adult CPR.
Who can be trained?
Organizations should consider whether the staff responsible for AED program oversight, and/or, management will consist of existing staff that already have safety as a part of their job description; or will staff need to be trained? If staff is trained, but safety is not a part of their job description, organizations will need to determine whether these individuals will have a responsibility to respond.
Who can use an AED?
In most cases, EMTs and first responders (police and firefighters) are required to know how to use an AED as part of their job responsibilities. Furthermore, all 50 states now have AED Good Samaritan provisions that help protect laypersons. Contact your local or state emergency medical services ("EMS") department to find out about Good Samaritan protections that your state provides for users of AEDs.
Where can I find AEDs?
AEDs can be found in corporate offices, shopping malls, airports, sports stadiums, schools, community centers, and other places where large groups of people gather and the risk of a sudden cardiac arrest incident is very likely. The number of devices in the community will continue to grow as more and more people begin to understand the importance of AEDs and AED training.
How can I buy an AED?
A physician’s prescription is needed in order to purchase most AEDs. This means that the medical director of a facility or a physician used by such facility must prescribe and oversee the AED program at any workplace or other facility that houses an AED. Some AEDs can be purchased over the counter without a prescription.
How much does an AED cost?
The cost of an AED varies by manufacturer and model. Most AEDs are between $1,500 and $3,500.
Does the Red Cross sell AEDs?
No, but to help the Red Cross meet its mission of saving lives, agreements have been established with AED manufacturers to allow Red Cross chapters the opportunity to facilitate the purchase of AED units and provide CPR and AED training to AED purchasers. Many chapters are involved. If a chapter is not participating in coordination of the purchase of AEDs, it can provide the purchaser with information on how to obtain an AED.
The American Red Cross receives a non–tax deductible donation from the AED manufacturers for each AED we place in the community to help us promote training and other community programs.
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