New statewide AED law coming

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Starting January 1, 2010, Oregon buildings that are larger than 50,000 square feet and have more than 25 visitors per day must have at least one Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on their premises. Churches and schools are exempted from the new law.

Business owners can learn the details, get training for their employees, and purchase an AED from The American Red Cross, the state’s only non-profit AED retailer. To learn more, visit www.oregonredcross.org/AED.

Sudden cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, claiming 350,000 lives annually. Locally, the Oregon Trail Chapter has worked with companies to implement AED programs since 2000, ensuring that businesses are ready to respond to a cardiac emergency where people spend most of their waking time – the workplace. AED’s cost from $1,500 to $2,500 each.

The Red Cross can provide one point of contact for:

? Purchasing an AED unit

? Purchasing AED supplies, accessories, and storage devices

? Acquiring contacts for medical direction

? AED protocol information

? CPR/AED/First Aid training

? Annual reminders & follow up information

? Training and supplies for disaster response

Wallowa County remains ahead of the curve on AED installation thanks to the Rotary International’s Project Heartbeat program, which has purchased and placed 10 AEDs county-wide.