FAQs

In Texas, AEDs are required at certain facilities like schools and nursing homes.

Most other Texas businesses are not legally required to have an AED. In Texas, we rely on business owners to understand the value of AEDs and to voluntarily prepare to save lives.

Increasingly, we see Texas businesses investing in AED programs, because they understand the frequency of sudden cardiac arrest, and they want to be equipped to save the lives of their employees, customers, and tenants. Many business owners also want their employees to be equipped to save their own life if they happen to fall victim to sudden cardiac arrest.

With each minute that passes after a person collapses from sudden cardiac arrest, the chance of survival drops by 10%. It may take time to realize an AED is needed, and it will take time to turn on and use the AED. As such, we like to use a two-minute-roundtrip-walk rule, meaning that you should be able to walk from all locations in your building to the AED and back in less than two minutes. In an emergency situation, the responder will likely be sprinting vs. walking, which will bring the roundtrip time closer to one-minute.

We recommend having at least one AED per floor in multi-level buildings.

AEDs should be placed in locations that are:

   1) Central, so that everyone is a short roundtrip from the device

   2) Highly visible, so that people remember the location of the AED

   3) Accessible and unobstructed, so anyone can rapidly access the device (the handle to the cabinet should be no more than 48" from the ground)

   4) Secure, to minimize the potential for tampering or theft

While each building is unique, customers often place AEDs in their lobbies, break rooms, or near restrooms.

In our full-service programs, we (AED123) own the AEDs and also the responsibility for maintaining them. This is an important differentiator for customers who are concerned about the responsibility that can be associated with owning an AED.

AED batteries and pads need to be replaced prior to expiration and following use.

Each AED also needs to be inspected, on a monthly basis, to ensure that it:

   1) is situated in the AED's designated location

   2) has not been used subsequent to the most recent replacement of batteries and pads

   3) has passed self-tests that indicate it is ready for use, and

   4) does not have any damage or condition that might prevent proper operation

State law requires that a licensed physician be involved in the deployment of AEDs.  AED123 maintains a medical director to ensure both compliance with this requirement and adherence to best practices.

The AED may beep if there is an issue that needs to be addressed. While we check on each AED monthly, it is possible that the device would require attention between our monthly visits. Please contact us should you have any concerns about the device at your location. We are always available at 1-833-AED-1231 or support@aed123.com.

You should follow these steps:

1) If the scene is safe, tap the person and ask “Are you okay?”

2) If the person is unresponsive, call 911 and grab the AED

3) Check if the person is breathing normally

4) If breathing is not normal, use the AED and perform CPR

You should never hesitate to use your company's AED to save someone's life, even if they are not associated with your company.  You will be protected by Good Samaritan Laws, and AED123 will cover the cost of restoring the AED after use.

The AED will not administer a shock to anyone who does not need it.

Cardiac Arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating.  Victims of Cardiac Arrest pass out, stop breathing, and have no pulse.  If normal heart rhythm is not restored within a few minutes, the brain dies.

Cardiac Arrest needs to be addressed rapidly, and it generally cannot wait on an ambulance.

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device that restores normal heart rhythm to a victim of Cardiac Arrest.

During Cardiac Arrest, the heart typically quivers unproductively; this is called "fibrillation".  A Defibrillator uses an electrical shock to end the fibrillation and restore rhythm.

While Cardiac Arrest is often referred to as a "Heart Attack", the two are different.

A Heart Attack is a plumbing issue that can often be resolved with a stent.  With medical care, 90% of Heart Attack victims survive.

Cardiac Arrest is an electrical issue that prevents the heart from beating productively.  Today, only 5% of Cardiac Arrest victims survive, although with rapid use of an AED, 90% of Cardiac Arrest victims can survive.

Yes, all FDA-approved AEDs can tell the difference between a Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack.  When an AED is attached to a person’s chest, it immediately analyzes the heart rhythm.  It is looking for a “shockable rhythm”, which is either Ventricular Tachycardia or Ventricular Fibrillation.  Both of these rhythms are considered Cardiac Arrest.  A Heart Attack would not register as one of these rhythms, unless the Heart Attack was accompanied by Cardiac Arrest.  If the AED detects V-Tach or V-Fib, it will advise or administer a shock.  If it does not detect a shockable rhythm, it will say “No shock advised. Begin or continue CPR”.

If no shock is advised and the patient remains non-responsive, you should administer CPR, and let the AED check again for a shockable rhythm every 2 minutes.  It is possible that the chest compressions would enable a shockable rhythm that would then be resolvable with an AED.

No.  Training is not required to use an AED.  AED's are designed for untrained responders, and they are very easy to use. 

Where possible, training is still recommended, as it provides responders with a clear understanding of exactly what to do in an emergency, and training can instill confidence in potential responders so that they are quicker to respond when needed.