AED

Welcome to the AED Collective. We are a group of community partners working together to ensure our community has a safe, manageable and efficient program to help people who are suffering a serious heart event have the best chance at survival. The AED Collective includes staff from La Porte County EMS and the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte,  who are working on a special project to place AEDs in our community in the right place, every time, and to help educate on the importance of maintenance and training programs around AEDs.  Together, as a community, we can make a big difference in helping our friends, loved ones and neighbors survive cardiac arrest. Join the AED Collective and be part of the action!

There are many different types and brands of AEDs for sale, at various price levels. Here in La Porte County, we encourage community members to join the AED Collective if they plan to purchase a device by following the guidelines and recommendations below.

Strongly consider purchasing the Stryker CR2 Defibrillator model of AED. This is the same model that La Porte County EMS ambulances use, and the same model our local AED Collective, with support from HFL, purchases for various locations in need. Having the same model makes it easier for Emergency Responders in our county to provide fast, efficient care because they don’t have to change out wires or leads when the patient is transferred to an ambulance.

Per Indiana state law, someone in your facility must employ at least one person who has completed and passed a course approved by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross, and who is currently certified in CPR and AED use.

Register your device with the manufacturer. This is very important so you can be notified of recalls or product changes. Contact technical support for your device before getting started, so you know how to use it.

Register your device with La Porte County EMS. This is very important so local first responders know what is out there, and so you can more efficiently maintain your device. Registration is FREE.

Develop a maintenance plan for your AED, and follow it!

It’s easy assuming you have purchased the Physio Control Lifepak 1000 Defibrillator, here are some guidelines to follow.  Although most AEDs function similarly, these recommendations are based on the Lifepak line of AEDs.

You are assuming responsibility for the maintenance and testing schedule of your AED. Someone in your facility must employ at least one person who has completed and passed a course approved by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross, and who is currently certified in CPR and AED use.

The defibrillator is to be used in AED mode only on patients who are in cardiopulmonary arrest. The patient must be unresponsive, not breathing normally, and showing no signs of circulation.

On a regular basis, once a week, you should do the following:

• Check the readiness display to determine the level of battery charge and that the OK symbol is visible.

• Check the Use By date on the therapy electrode packet.

• Check the other emerge supplies that may be stored with the defibrillator.

The AED needs attention if any of the following conditions occur:

• The OK level is not visibleThe level of battery charge is low

• The electrode Use By date has passed

Replace the batter or electrode packet as indicated. If the OK symbol does not appear, call your authorized service personnel.

It is your responsibility to always have access to a spare, fully-charged, properly-maintained battery. The AED performs a daily self-test every 24 hours and every time you turn it on. Use only the accessories specified in the operation and instructions.

The AED must be easily accessible to anyone during the hours of operation for your facility, whether open to the public or employees. Place the AED in high-traffic areas that are both secure and accessible. According to the American Heart Association, a rescuer should be able to reach the potential victim within three minutes. The height to reach the handle of the AED should not be more than 48 inches high per Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.