Background
Public access to Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) is supported by Grasslands School Division. AED's will be placed in each of the thirteen division-owned school facilities and the Grasslands central office, accessible to school personnel and other users of the facilities.
Definitions
An AED is a small, portable, and easy-to-use device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. Adhesive pads connected by wires to the AED are applied to the person's chest. The AED detects the electrical activity of the person's heart and checks the heart's rhythm. If the heart is in a rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF), a fluttering of the heart muscle, the AED instructs the provider to press a button that delivers a controlled shock to the victim's heart. The shock stops the heart and allows it to resume a normal rhythm. If the person is not in VF, then shock is not advised and cannot be given. When an AED is immediately available, the chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest can increase by 75% or more over CPR on its own. Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation
Procedures
- AED's will be in accessible, visible locations, near the gymnasium and a phone, within an alarmed cabinet.
- Location of the AED's will be clearly indicated by appropriate signage.
- The occupational health and safety coordinator will register with the AHS PAD Program, complete the new coordinator registration form, register a new site, and register any new AED device.
- The principal of the school shall:
- Assign an individual to be the site coordinator who will be responsible for monthly visual maintenance checks for the AED.
- Ensure that staff members and students are aware of the location of the AED.
- Ensure that staff members and volunteer leaders of extracurricular events are aware that the AED device is equipped with audio instructions. The person using it merely has to open the case to begin.
- The site coordinator will complete the monthly checklist available at the website