AED Program: Emergency Response for Cardiac Arrest

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that can be used to treat a person who is undergoing cardiac arrest. In an effort to keep our community as safe as possible, North Jefferson County Ambulance District has started a dedicated AED program to ensure we and those in need are equipped with the tools they need to weather any emergency.

If you are concerned for those that have a high risk of cardiac arrest, either from heart disease, age, or other causes, in your organization, contact our team to determine if an AED is right for you.

When is an AED needed?

An AED is used to revive someone who suffers from sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is typically caused by a problem in the heart’s electrical activity causing irregular heartbeats, which can prevent the heart from pumping blood normally and force it to stop. When the heart stops, the brain and other organs are deprived of oxygen, so rapid treatment is required to prevent death or lasting damage to the body. The sooner the heartbeat is restored, the higher the chances of preventing permanent damage.

All AEDs include instructions on when and how to use them, though we’ve outlined this below as well. We recommend you undergo proper training to utilize your AED effectively and train personnel to use it effectively in case of emergency. CPR can be used to keep blood flowing across the body long enough to utilize an AED, so ensure that personnel are trained on CPR as well in case of emergency.

AED Training with Our Program Coordinators

Ensuring the community’s safety is our highest priority, which is why NJCAD will incorporate Program Coordinators for the purposes of maintaining and overseeing the AED program. In addition to securing forty Zoll AED Plus units with wall boxes that alert when opened, organizations in our community can request an evaluation for placement and receive CPR/AED education for their personnel. The Program Coordinators will ensure that all questions and concerns are addressed either over the phone or in person and oversee the maintenance of the AEDs and training requirements for teams and organizations.

Residential Knox Box Program Qualifications

If someone has fainted or collapsed and an AED is available:

Check to see if the person is breathing and has a pulse.
If you cannot feel a pulse and the person is not breathing, call for emergency help. If you're alone, call 911 or emergency services first to make sure help is on the way. If another person is present, one person can call 911 while the other prepares the AED. If other people can help, one person can begin CPR while the AED is being prepared.
Turn on the AED. The AED gives step-by-step voice instructions. It tells you how to check for breathing, a pulse, and tells you how and where to place the AED pads on the person's bare chest.

Stand clear and deliver the shock. When the pads are in place, do not touch the person while the AED measures the person's heartbeat. If the machine thinks a shock is needed, it tells the user to stand back and push a button to deliver the shock. Make sure you or no one else is touching the person. Verbally ensure nobody is near by saying something like “stand clear,” then press the button. The AED will only deliver a shock when needed.
Start CPR. Begin CPR after the shock is delivered if CPR is still needed. The AED will also guide users through CPR. The process can be repeated as needed until emergency medical teams take over.