Frequently Asked Questions
What is public access to defibrillation?
Public access to defibrillation (PAD) means making AEDs available in public and/or private places where large numbers of people gather – places like sports facilities, businesses and schools.
Why is PAD important?
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, an estimated 35,000 cardiac arrests happen in Canada each year, and about 80 per cent of them occur outside of a hospital setting.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Health, early intervention using a defibrillator, together with calling 911 and beginning CPR, can save lives and improve survival rate of cardiac arrest by up to 50 per cent.
Public access to defibrillation helps better prepare people to deal with sudden cardiac arrest before paramedics arrive on the scene. This is essential in improving the Chain of Survival.
What is the Chain of Survival?
The Chain of Survival consists of the actions needed to treat a life-threatening emergency, and it is ideally started by bystanders as soon as the emergency happens. The adult Chain of Survival for adults has four important steps:
- Early Access – recognizing that an emergency has occurred and calling 911.
- Early CPR – CPR helps circulate blood to the brain and heart and buys a few minutes of time until defibrillation can be performed.
- Early Defibrillation – this should occur within 3-5 minutes, by a bystander using an AED, or by emergency services if they arrive sooner.
- Early Advanced Care – provided by Advance Care Paramedics or in the hospital’s emergency department.
I’m afraid of using an AED – what if I make things worse?
As the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada says – you cannot hurt, you can only help! An AED is accurate and easy to use – you don’t need to be a medical professional. It uses lights, voice prompts and/or text to tell you what steps to take, and it only delivers a shock to a heart that needs it. Although we always encourage CPR training and AED awareness, in a cardiac emergency, any help is better than none.
In Ontario, the Good Samaritan Act protects rescuers from any liability if they attempt to help someone who is experiencing a medical emergency. Ontario also has the Chase McEachern Act, which specifically protects people who attempt to use a defibrillator in an emergency, as well as property owners and tenants.
I am interested in buying an AED for my business. What do I need to know?
Anyone can purchase an AED, but you will need to think about things like which one to purchase, pricing, training, where to install it on your property, how to notify your staff and/or customers, etc. We recommend you talk to reliable experts to assist you, so contact Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services at 705-674-4455, extension 2748, and we will be happy to help get you started.
Why is it important to register my AED with Paramedic Services?
It is important for us to know where AEDs are located in our community. In the event of a sudden cardiac arrest emergency, the 911 dispatcher will know there’s an AED on the premises – and where – and can advise both on-scene bystanders and emergency responders.
Why should people who are responsible for operating an AED receive CPR training?
Early CPR is an integral part of providing lifesaving aid to people suffering sudden cardiac arrest. CPR helps to circulate oxygen-rich blood to the brain. After the AED is attached and delivers a shock, the typical AED will prompt the operator to continue CPR while the device continues to analyze the victim.