American Heart Association (AHA) and American Red Cross are continuously making efforts to spread awareness about the lifesaving automatic external defibrillators or AEDs. These devices are needed in all public places, offices, and organizations as defibrillation shock is the only definitive treatment for sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) helps in pumping oxygenated blood through the body of the victim but it fails to bring heart rate to normal which is possible by delivering a shock via a defibrillator.

With the increase in awareness about AEDs, the companies and organizations need to be prepared to tackle a situation involving cardiac emergency or they face greater threat of being involved in a law suit. In fact, there have been instances where lawsuits were filed for not having an AED.

In 1996, Busch Gardens had to pay $ 500,000 in damages to the plaintiff for death of her teenage daughter as the employees of Busch Gardens were not trained to provide emergency care. Lufthansa Airlines was sued for not being able to treat a passenger victimized by sudden cardiac arrest. A suit was also filed against United Airlines by a widow whose husband had died from sudden cardiac arrest. She alleged that the airline was not carrying proper medical equipment to provide timely treatment to her husband.

American Heart Association’s Heartsaver AED Anytime Personal Learning Program is perfect for imparting the knowledge for performing CPR and using an AED. The aim of this course is to train the rescuers to minimize the risks to both the victim and the responder. Most organizations are hesitant to follow a public access defibrillation (PAD) program as they are afraid of being sued. There have been no known instances of a lay rescuer being sued for providing CPR or defibrillation as Good Samaritans.

For buying an AED, a prescription from a physician is required according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Though the rules may differ from state to state but almost every state requires an individual to undergo basic CPR and AED courses from organizations like American Heart Association. Laws were also passed so that people could help a victim of sudden cardiac arrest in an emergency medical situation without fear of any repercussions. In November 2000, the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (CASA) was signed into law and it directs that automated external defibrillators should be placed in federal buildings. It also exempts Good Samaritans from any liability for providing defibrillation in case of sudden cardiac arrest.

If a business or organization possesses an AED, it has to comply with the AED regulations and AED protocols. AED requirements also include AED trained staff. Also AED equipment should be placed properly so that anybody can access it in time of need. It is important to follow the guidelines of the American Red Cross and American Heart Association. It is also crucial to evaluate at least once every month that the AED device is in a condition to be readily used in case of an emergency medical situation.