Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Policy

Eastern Connecticut State University is committed to the health and safety of its students, faculty, staff and visitors. Due to technological improvements, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) may now be safely acquired and used by authorized/trained persons to save victims of sudden cardiac arrest. An AED is used to urgently diagnose and treat ventricular fibrillation. An AED is attached to a victim’s chest to assess the heart’s rhythm. If appropriate, the device will recommend that a shock be delivered to resume a safe rhythm for the victim’s heart. When delivered, a metered electrical charge restores the heart’s functionality and often saves the victim’s life. AEDs are most successful when their first shock is delivered within 3-4 minutes of sudden cardiac arrest onset. Because of their ease of use and built-in safeguards, untrained bystanders have successfully used an AED, but they are intended for use by trained personnel.

Departments who are issued an AED must designate a responsible person, whose duties are described below.

Sponsoring Physician 

The college has designated the Physician in the Student Health Center as its sponsoring physician. The physician’s duties under the program are as follows:

• Oversee implementation of the AED program.
• Review instances in which an AED was used to determine the appropriateness of the operation of the AED or the AED response. 

AED Department Responsibilities

Departments that have been issued an AED (i.e., AED Owners) are responsible for maintaining the device to the standards of its manufacturer, and this Policy.  AED owners must:

• Periodically check to make sure that the AED is present and ready for use.

• Perform a monthly inspection.
  • Monthly inspections are available at: AED Monthly Inspection
• Notify Environmental Health and Safety, EHS, immediately if the AED is missing, damaged, or does not appear ready for use.
• Ensure on-site records are present.
• Be the departmental “point person” regarding the AED(s).

Environmental Health and Safety Responsibilities

EHS will assist departments and responsible persons in managing AEDs on campus, and

will implement and enforce this policy. To do so, EHS will: 

• Implement and administer the AED program.
• Ensure that all individuals who are expected to operate an AED have met all training requirements.
• Ensure the maintenance records are up to date.
• Ensure that inspections and maintenance is conducted in a timely manner.
• Document and maintain training records and copies of certifications in the EHS office.
• Periodically inspect AEDs to assure that the responsible person is performing his or her duties under this Policy.
• Maintain a list of AEDs on campus as well as their locations.
• Notify the responsible person when training is due. 

Location of AEDs

• Sports Center
  • Pool Area                                                       
  • Outside the Cardio Room                              
  • Outside Gymnasium lobby area                    
  • (There are also 5 others that are maintained in the training room and are used for Sporting events)   
  • Intramural Sports                                          
• Student Center
  • Fitness Area                                                    
  • 2 for Club Sports                                           
• Police Department
  • 3 in the cruisers                                             
  • Dispatch Area                                                
• Facilities
  • Outside Lock Smith Shop                             
• Goddard Hall
  • Main Lobby Area                                         
• CFDRC
  • Great Room                                                   
• LIBRARY
  • Main Lobby                                                   
• FINE ARTS
  • Main Lobby                                                   
  • 2nd Floor Elevator (Printmaking)                   
• SCIENCE BUILDING
  • Lobby
• HURLEY HALL
  • Main Lobby

Any trained person may use any AED at any location on campus.