The use of automatic emergency defibrillators (AEDs) has been very helpful in saving the lives of many people who have suffered sudden cardiac arrest. In the hands of trained users, AEDs have provided the analysis and emergency corrective measures that have re-started or normalized the cardiac rhythm of cardiac arrest victims.
On the St. Olaf College campus, AEDs are situated at the following locations.
Who Can Use an AED?
An AED can be used by any person who is trained to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They are designed to be used by non-medical people, such as police, firefighters, security guards and even lay people. While it is important to be trained in CPR, if you are the only rescuer around and do not have CPR training, you should still use the equipment to try to save the victim’s life.
On our campus, the following departments/groups have individuals trained in the use of AEDs:
- Public Safety
- St. Olaf EMTs
Under What Conditions May an AED be Used?
If someone is exhibiting the following signs, the potential rescuer will consider using an AED after notifying Public Safety or 911:
- Unconscious patient who is not breathing
- No detection of a pulse
- Patient must be over 8 years old—most AEDs are not approved for children under that age, since their energy settings cannot be set low enough for infants
- The victim is not moving or being moved (movement distracts the analysis)
- A trained medical provider has confirmed full cardiac arrest