Following the May 12, 1999 passing of House Bill 2475, otherwise known as the "AED Good Samaritan Law", many businesses, retirement centers, schools and other institutions are realizing the importance of this life-saving device.

Recently, Phoenix School of Law made the decision to purchase four Zoll AED Plus units and institute a Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) program for its facility. Seventeen of the school's staff was subsequently trained on how to use the device.

Training is required according to the state law, but the truth of the matter is studies have shown the safety of the machine speaks for itself even if used by an untrained individual.

Technological advances are apparent in Zoll AEDs.

When used on a person, who has fallen to sudden cardiac distress of some sort, the machine actually has the ability to assess the person's condition and will not operate if defibrillation isn't necessary based on the heart rhythms detected.

This eliminates the possibility that anyone could ever accidentally shock anyone else, thereby rendering the machine 100% safe to hang on the wall and be accessible to any member of the public. Even more impressive is how an ordinary citizen can utilize an AED to save a life.

When simple instructions are followed, which are provided on cards contained within the unit's cabinet packaging, the machine literally talks you through the process, step by step.



Studies reveal impressive statistics when it comes to on site treatment of cardiac episodes.

- Effective "by-stander" CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) immediately after cardiac arrest, potentially doubles a victim's chance for survival.

- If a person experiencing cardiac arrest receives electrical shock from a defibrillator within one minute, their chance for survival increases 90%-93%.

- For every minute the victim goes without defibrillation, their chances for survival decrease at the rate of 7%-10% per minute.

Michelle Allcott-Mills, owner of Safety On Site Training, a Zoll AED distributor and health and safety training/consulting company, is very proud of the increase in awareness. "Every day, nearly 1,000 Americans suffer sudden cardiac arrest," she said.

"The installation of automated external defibrillators saves lives."

A former firefighter and member of the emergency response industry since 1988, Allcott-Mills understands the importance of response time when it comes to cardiac patients. "Nationally, the EMS response time average is 4-6 minutes.

That time begins when the emergency response vehicle is dispatched and ends when EMS arrives at the scene, not at the patient. Precious time passes as emergency personnel unload equipment, locate the victim, and begin treatment."

The purpose of CPR and AED is to prolong the span of time until EMS can arrive and take over. Keeping the heart beating and oxygen flowing decreases the risk of death and extends the time frame to avoid brain damage.

This can be accomplished with CPR, but the benefits of the AED are usually much more tangible.

For instance, Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports have AEDs installed throughout their facilities, so that anyone were to suffer sudden cardiac arrest, they would never been more than a minute away from such a device. In the first 10 months of trial, 14 cardiac arrests occurred, and 9 of the victims survived.

That is a 64.2% success rate in saving lives.

Phoenix School of Law is no exception to any other company that wants to ensure the best possible level of safety for staff, students and public in general.

The installation of four AEDs speaks volumes to the apparent benefits, both tangible and legal, to having such a great life-saving tool. As one might expect, legal experts interpreted Arizona's House Bill 2475 and the decision came out on the side of installing AEDs at the law school.

This is certain to be a pattern repeated with many other industries in the very near future, as every state was able to pass an AED Good Samaritan Law of their own - all within a two-year time frame.

Training is available and a good idea even if you don't yet have AEDs installed at your place of business, because as mentioned before they are becoming more and more commonplace in airports and other places frequented by John. Q. Public. At any moment, you could be the person, who needs to locate that box mounted to a wall and use its contents, to save a life.

Even though a person without training can use the machine, the amount of time saved by knowing what to do, is once again crucial. If a person doesn't have to follow the instructions on the card or wait for the machine to talk through the steps there is a much better chance of achieving life-saving results.

AED installations are on the rise and because of successful survival rates they will someday be as common as fire extinguishers.

Without AEDs, the survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest victims is only 5%, but that numbers improves to between 65% and 75% when AEDs are present and used. It's a priceless benefit to be prepared in every way possible; especially to the life you may save.

Establishing an emergency response plan that includes an AED is an important step in being prepared for an emergency. Having a local consultant, who can address all aspects of implementing an emergency plan, will increase the confidence and courage of those who are called on to respond during an emergency.

Safety On Site Training has assisted many schools, retirement communities, athletic facilities, and businesses in implementing a successful PAD program using the ZOLL AED Plus and American Heart Association courses.

Phoenix School of Law opened its doors in January 2005 and is already educating highly qualified, highly accomplished professionals of all ages and backgrounds. It is the only law school in Arizona that offers part-time and evening degree programs. And is also the only law school built on the three mission pillars: Student Centered. Practice Ready. Serving the Underserved.

Safety On Site Training is a local, woman-owned health and safety training and consulting company that offers courses held at your site.

Its mission is to decrease premature death by implementing emergency response programs with trained individuals, who are confident and courageous enough to act during an emergency.

Safety On Site Training specializes in establishing emergency response programs with Public Access Defibrillation (PAD).

Its PAD services include: purchase and placement of the AED, obtaining medical direction, complete training packages, and support following an incident. Safety On Site Training also provides OSHA compliance training. For interview or more information, visit www.safetyonsitetraining.com or call 520-568-0285.