How having an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) in major public areas is crucial in the prevention of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth Sports

• Parks
• Schools
• Church
• Restaurants
• Offices
• And other major facilities like, nursing homes, and hospitals

Your AED should never be obstructed or blocked in any way and should always have a sign visible enough so that anyone can see and read it. Preferably most professionals suggest having one near a telephone; here are just a few suggestions of locations convenient for when a victim has an attack:

• Time is of the essence: It is suggested that and AED should never be more that one minute away from the victim, this is because in a case where a victim is fallen from sudden cardiac arrest it is very important that from the time that the victim collapses to the time that the responder arrives with the AED it should take no longer than 2 minutes, also allowing for the AED to be charged and the electrodes to be placed on the victims chest to start the call-to-shock interval within no later than 4 minutes from the time of the collapse. This timeline allows a greater chance of survival to the victim and therefore, an AED should always be close at hand in every sporting event
  
  
• Keep it clear: Having an AED is important, smart and safe, but will do you no good if no one is able to get to it within the suggested time. When your AED is block or obstructed, it will be very hard for the responder to get to the victim within that suggested 2 minute time frame. Please make sure that when you have an AED on site that it is clear of debris and not blocked in any way.
  
  
• Phone Accessible: As always, in a situation where someone is suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the first thing you or someone you are with must do is dial 9-1-1. Having an AED near a phone and calling 9-1-1 while retrieving the AED with give the victim a greater chance of survival. Cell phones are important during outdoor sporting events when a person is a victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest allowing the responder to call 9-1-1 while retrieving the AED. A convenient and helpful tip would be to supply a cell phone that is programmed to auto-dial 9-1-1 when turned on with the AED that way the responder will always have a way of getting in contact with professional emergency responders.

How to know where to put your AED

Having the knowledge of how to operate and maintain your AED is only the first step in being prepared. Something as important as the placement of each AED has to be well thought out and precise to make sure that it can be retrieved and brought to the victim within the 2 minute period. This is as simple as testing it out yourself, it is not necessary for you to have an AED manufacturer Rep come to your location and show you, but rather trying different scenarios at your facility in order to get the most accurate location for your AED. Here are just a few examples of how you can retrieve your AED as well as some scenarios that would prevent you from reaching the victim

Finally, to ensure that once you have found a place to put your AED so that it is well within reach of the 2 minute response time, you want people to be aware that there is an AED on site and available. The best way to do that is to make sure that your have visible and colorful signs and stickers posted in an appropriate place that allows people to visibly see it from a distance, as well as post signs to point people in the right direction if it is not visible.