Need Advice for Church AED

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Hoping someone out there has purchased an AED for their church and can advise me about which one they felt was best. Have looked at several brands. Would a "recertified" one be advisable? Do you know of any grants available? Thanks!

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tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN

83 Articles; 5,923 Posts

Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

I have purchased 3 AED's for my church... After reading reviews on lots of AED's, I went with Philips HeartStart OnSite. It is simple to use (not that we have had to use it...yet) with audio voice prompts. I teach HeartSaver classes to laypeople in my church and the community, and this is very similar to the AED's we use in training, except the pads are already attached to the defibrillator.

Make sure of the AED's laws in your state. We are required to register the AED with our local health department. In the case that there is a need for the AED and you are not there or the responders (usually laypeople on the scene) do not know there is an AED available or where it is, 911 can tell them of the location when they telephone for emergency assistance.

Columnist

tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN

83 Articles; 5,923 Posts

Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

I forgot to answer your question re. grants. Our AED's were purchased by memorial funds. There may be organizations in your community willing to help with funds.

rcook

2 Posts

Thank you! I did not think about having to register with the local health department,(or here I think it is the EMS). We are looking for grants, etc, and have started fund raising, but will continue to search for some organization that might be willing to help.

Columnist

tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN

83 Articles; 5,923 Posts

Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

rcook.....How are you coming with setting up your AED program and securing the funds?

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