Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

Each year, more than 45,000 Canadians suffer from a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Cardiac arrest occurs when an individual’s heart stops beating. The person loses consciousness and blood flow to the brain and vital organs is cut off. If the heart is not restarted within a few minutes, brain damage and death occur. Of those SCA that happen out of hospital, less than 5% survive to hospital due to delays in recognizing the cardiac emergency and access to appropriate care.

Research has demonstrated that early defibrillation is a vital step in reducing premature death from sudden cardiac arrest in Canada. The survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest without CPR is zero. For every one minute delay in defibrillation, the survival rate of a cardiac arrest victim decreases by 7-10%.

Early intervention is vital. Early CPR and defibrillation within the first 3-5 minutes after collapse, plus early advanced care, can result in high long-term survival rates. These rates can range from 50-80%.* In Canada, this would mean saving the lives of 2,000-4,500 adult and pediatric victims each year.

In keeping with the laws of the province, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba has taken a leadership role in developing guidelines to implement AED programs in your community. The province of Manitoba does not consider the use of an AED as a medical act. A Medical Director is not required to purchase or use an AED.

AEDs are most useful if placed in locations that there are large groups of people or where EMS may take a long time to reach. Some sites suggested are:

• High-rise apartment blocks or businesses
• Central, easy access locations in remote areas
• Major sports, recreation or community facilities

The purpose of an AED program is to have quick access to provide care within minutes for a victim in cardiac arrest. AEDs are part of the Chain of Survival, and is now included in CPR training.

In order to implement an AED Program, some planning is needed and decisions to be made:

• Type or model of AED and number needed in your facility.
• How will AED be accessed? Is the location secured? Who has access to the AED? Will untrained person have access to AED?
• Cost of the program
• Who will maintain the AED, and how will it be maintained
• Who will be trained as rescuers?
• How will people contact a rescuer?
• Who is responsible for calling EMS?
• After an AED is used, who will be responsible for collecting the data from the unit?
• How will you fund the program?

A booklet with detailed provincial information is available here.

Once all these questions are addressed, you are ready to implement your AED Program. You will want to check into different AED companies. Each offers different units and most offer many of the services needed to put an AED program in place.

Some companies are listed here. This is not a complete list. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba does not endorse any one product.

AED Main Registry

AED Main Registry Information

AED Main Registry Form

Further information on AEDs:

AED Training - AED training is now part of CPR training. Please check CPR courses here.

Manitoba AED Guidelines - Page currently under revision. Check back soon.

Heart & Stroke AED Position Statement

Questions and Answers: AED in the Community

Purchasing an AED (AED companies)

AED Incident Report Form