Oregon Requires AED's in Schools

The state of Oregon passed legislation that will require all schools in the state to install and maintain at least one Automated External Defibrillator. Oregon SB 1033 Relating to automated external defibrillators in schools; creating new provisions; and amending ORS431.680 and 431.690. Compliance is required on or before January 1, 2015. The legislation applies to all schools: public, private and charter schools. Northwest Health and Safety Inc is a leading provider of AED programs and implementation programs for schools in Oregon and Washington. We have successfully implemented hundreds of AED programs within schools and understand the complexities of school AED implementations. The Oregon Department of Education has provided some information, guidance and sample policies for school districts and schools.

AED Programs

Northwest Health and Safety Inc. is a leading and most experienced provider of Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) and specializes in implementing AED programs for business, schools, golf courses, churches, non-profit organizations and industrial settings. Our AED experts can assist you with every aspect of your AED program from:

• Budgeting
• Device Selection
• Program Design
• Medical Direction/Physician Oversight
• EMS Integration/Notification
• Policies and Procedures
• Maintenance
• Installation
• CPR/AED Training
• Loaner programs
• Risk Management
• Ongoing Support
• Expiration Reminders

There is more to setting up an AED program than just going out and purchasing an AED. There are state requirements that dictate AED placement standards and minimum requirements. Most states have 4 main requirements for AED placement in public places: CPR and AED Training, Medical Direction/Oversight, EMS notification and Maintenance in accordance with manufacture specifications (monthly inspections).
Northwest Health and Safety Inc. has successfully implemented thousands of successful AED programs within schools, churches, government buildings, businesses, golf courses, health clubs, childcare facilities and much more. We have over 13 years of experience working with AED’s and feature all the major AED brands from Cardiac Science, Defibtech, Heartsine, Physio-Control, Philips and ZOLL. For more information on AED’s visit us at AEDUniverse.com or AED4U.com. There is only one choice for implementing your AED programs in the Northwest. Northwest Health and Safety Inc. stocks replacement AED pads and batteries for all major AED brands at their Vancouver, Washington store.

Northwest Health and Safety Inc. is an Authorized AED Distributor serving Washington, Oregon and Idaho and nationwide. for more information on AED’s and AED programs visit our AED site AEDUniverse.com 

Don't buy an AED...... Unless your willing to maintain it

One thing that is frustrating to me as an advocate for AED's is when AED's are not maintained properly. Although AED's require very little in the way of maintenance, it is important to recognize that they do have batteries that can deplete over time and the AED pads do expire. So often I will see AED's in public places and well..... I look at them, only to determine that they are not ready for use and if it were needed in a true emergency it may or may not work. Many states have requirements for maintaining AED's but California is specific and says that the AED's must be inspected every 28 days. In general we recommend that AED's be inspected every month.

On an AED there are only 4 main items that should be inspected on a regular basis

1.) Pads expiration date (every set of AED pads is marked with a expiration date
2.) Check the Status indicator. (Every AED has some visual indicator which will let you know the devices state of readiness.)
3.) Battery status (This is not always easy to determine without manually running a self test) Refer to your specific operations maual for details
4.) Check the overall condition of the AED. Is there any visible cracks in the housing? Is it clean?

A monthly AED inspection takes all of about 1 minute to complete but can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency. Having the AED in a visible place will help make sure the inspections get done. You can use an AED Inspection Tag to record your inspections. If you are going to buy an AED or have an AED make sure it is inspected on a regular basis. For more information on inspecting your AED- Inspecting your AED

To purchase replacement pads and batteries for your AED visit www.aeduniverse.com