Custody of an automated external defibrillator (AED) close at hand in an AED cabinet is not sufficient without training individuals to be able to use the equipment efficiently and effectively. Whereas an AED is expected to be used by emergency personnel, in the modern era, state laws allow AEDs to be placed in public buildings, schools, large offices, health clubs and other gathering locations.
Understanding the Survival Chain
For an individual suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, their chances of surviving are dramatically increased if you follow the survival chain. This involves calling for emergency services immediately and then performing CPR promptly. For trained individuals, the defibrillator can then be used to restart a heart and where this can be achieved as soon as possible, the rate of survival is considerably increased.
The location of the AED cabinet is important because it ensures that all the responsible people understand where the defibrillator is kept, how access should be obtained and the safety of the unit is increased.
An individual that is unconscious and has collapsed will probably benefit using the AED. It is not perfect and will not work in all circumstances, and where trained individuals are not easily available, the dispatcher that you are speaking to after calling 911 will talk you through the necessary steps.
Wherever the AED is located, the responsible individual will ensure that it is located safely within an efficient AED cabinet so that all your first-aid trained employees or volunteers know where the equipment is readily available. The responsible person will also ensure that the units are managed and maintained.
The batteries and electrodes must be replaced before they reach their expiration dates. Your organization will partner with a qualified company to ensure that the maintenance is carried out regularly.
Your AED cabinet should be easily visible, and the location may also deter theft. The device should not be kept in a drawer, away from a state of constant readiness. Placing the AED near a telephone will help the emergency services calls.