Public Access Defibrillators

The public is encouraged to use an AED and CPR if someone collapses and shows no signs of life, like breathing or gasping. Time is critical in these situations. When out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (stopping of the heart) occurs, the chance of survival without intervention decreases by 10% per minute. After 4 to 6 minutes without treatment of cardiac arrest, brain death occurs and by 10 minutes without treatment, the chance of survival is next to none.

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED):

• Is a small portable device that can analyze the electrical activity of a person’s heart to determine if the heart would benefit from applying energy (a "shock")
• Works by stopping the uncoordinated electrical activity of the heart, giving the heart a chance to re-establish a regular rhythm

Public Access Defibrillators aid in the CPR treatment by helping the user with verbal instruction and require no formal training to be used. The combination of AED use and CPR can increase the chance of survival by 75%.

If you notice someone is unresponsive:

• Call 911
• Send someone to get an AED
• Check for absent or abnormal breathing and begin CPR
  • Place hands on the Centre of the chest – one on top of the other and interlace your fingers
  • Push hard and fast – compressions should be at least 100 per minute and a depth of at least two inches for adults and children
  • Use the AED immediately once it arrives. If no AED is available, continue with compressions until help arrives.

The 66 defibrillators have been distributed across the County. They can be found in:

• 16 Community Centres
• 4 Arenas (each having 2)
• 5 County administration buildings
• 13 Public schools and 5 Catholic schools
• 6 Libraries
• 4 Secondary Schools (each having 2)
• 3 Museums
• 3 Public pools
• 1 Grandview Lodge lobby

The project to place the defibrillators in the community is ongoing, with our next focus being recreation facilities. The public access defibrillator program is also available to assist private groups and organizations by providing information on defibrillators and assisting with the coordination of purchase, training and placement of defibrillators for private buildings.

If you would like assistance with obtaining an AED for your private building, please contact Emergency Services