The Maricopa Community College district has implemented a Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program. Each of the 10 campuses, sites and District Office have been equipped with AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) and trained personnel (approx. 100 AEDs district wide). EMCC has 7 fixed units and 1 mobile units.

Public access refers to accessibility for trained responders to use AEDs in public places. Public access does not mean that any member of the public witnessing a sudden cardiac arrest should be able to use the device AEDs are to be used only by individuals with the proper training and certification in accordance with state and local laws.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) 

An AED is a device used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart. Built-in computers assess the patient's heart rhythm, judge whether defibrillation is needed, and then administer the shock. Audible and/or visual prompts guide the user through the process.

Once an AED is turned on, it provides prompts to guide the user through the process. One of the first prompts instructs the user to connect the AED to the victim via the adhesive electrodes (pads) placed on the chest.

The AED then analyzes the victim's heart rhythm through the electrodes using a built-in computer program. It then determines if a shock is "needed" or necessary." More specifically:

• The electrodes placed on the victim's body send the heart rhythm information (ECGs) to the AED.
• The AED "reads" short segments of the heart's rhythm. It checks characteristics such as frequency, shape, slope, amplitude and heart rate.
• Based on these characteristics, the AED determines whether or not a shock is needed and activates the appropriate user prompts.

If a shock is needed, the AED will prompt the user to press the button that delivers the shock. It will then re-analyze the heart rhythm to determine if more shocks are needed. If a shock able rhythm is not detected, the AED will prompt the user to check the victim for a pulse, and to perform CPR if needed.

AEDs are important because they strengthen the Chain of Survival. They can restore a normal heart rhythm in victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Portable AEDs enable more people to respond to a medical emergency that requires defibrillation. When a person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, their chance of survival decreases by 7% to 10% for each minute that passes without defibrillation.