You can start by looking around the places where you live, work, and play and asking if there is an AED. Getting training is important so that you feel comfortable enough to act if you see someone collapse.
The Nashville Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program reccommends:
- That AEDs be placed with a first priority on locations where members of the community gather and are physically active (like gyms, ball fields and golf courses)
- The next priority is gathering places where a larger proportion of visitors are over age 50 (commonly churches, community centers and shopping areas)
- Workplaces, schools and any public places where 100 people or more gather should seriously consider having an AED
- The AED should be placed within a 1-minute-30-second fast walk to any location of the building
- The AED shyould be placed in a very visible, accessible location, preferrably in a wall mount cabinent with a three dimenstional AED sign
- For every AED placed, there your be 4 to 6 people selected to be a first response team, certified in CPR/AED
- For every AED first response team there should be an emergency action plan that is drilled and includes regular device checks
- All people who work/play/pray in the location that has an AED should be informed of its location and should be encouraged to get at least minimal (1 hour) training in CPR/AED
Contact the Nashville PAD Program for the following information:
- Information on training events
- Information on implementing an AED plan
- Information on AED vendors
How to support the Nashville PAD Program
e-mail us at info@nashvillepad.org
As an all-volunteer, community-based group, we are ALWAYS in need of help from enthusiastic people. Donations and grants are the fuel that keep our community training events going and assist us in stocking the community with AED devices. Joining us as a volunteer may be the very best kind of donation. The gift of your time to help train, educate or otherwise serve the mission of the Nashville PAD Program is invaluable.