Automated External Defibrillators are designed for use by non-medically trained people who witness another individual collapse from a sudden cardiac arrest. These devices will enable responders to deliver early defibrillation to victims in the first critical moments after collapse.
Defibrillation is a recognized means of terminating certain potentially fatal arrhythmias during a cardiac arrest. A direct current defibrillator applies a brief, high-energy pulse of electricity to the heart muscle. AEDs accurately analyze cardiac rhythms and, if appropriate, advise/deliver an electric counter-shock. AEDs are currently widely used by trained emergency personnel and have become an essential link in the chain-of survival as defined by the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.
The Department of Risk Management and Safety (RM&S) along with the UA Sarver Heart Center oversees the AED program on campus. AEDs are included in all new building construction & major renovations. There is a process in place to evaluate prospective departments that would like to have an AED in their building. Please contact Frank Perez at 626-8739 to arrange a meeting to assess your needs. Departments that are ready to purchase their own AEDs must get approval from RM&S. RM&S assists in coordinating training on the use of AEDs and ongoing maintenance and inspection.
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