Recent discussions
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Nazir Akber Ali
With an experience of over 30 years in emergency medicine and 10 years' experience with AED in specialty clinics and public places/ Religious gatherings areas, i have realized that its essential to keep AED unlocked but with an alarm while opening and with clear instructions as to who should open this and how important its not to use if you have no past experience of using it. Since the defib pads are for one time use only and it takes a while to replace it.
Keeping AED Locked have many pitfalls as to find the person with the key at the right time is not always possible and any delay in that process will decrease the chances of keeping alive the whole mankind. As Saving one life is as if saving the whole mankind. And by chance if u get AED box open and are able to restore Cardiac activity there is a chance of not getting beneficial neurological outcome.
And not only that then there is a grave consequence of a person with restored Cardiac activity but with poor neurological outcome not only on that person but on the family and on the society as a whole.
So to sum up AED Boxes should not be locked but with some important information on the box for the person who is opening it.
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Lino Masotti
Locked vs Unlocked AEDs for Public - LINO MASOTTI. (Heart and Stroke Foundation (CANADA) Experienced Instructor/Instructor Trainer - 23 years)
AEDs have proven to save lives and there have been many success stories with PROMPT public AED intervention in a CA. The PROS of having AED CABINETS “unlocked” in the General Public - ready for use especially in areas of increased pedestrian traffic areas (malls, plazas/piazza, convention areas, arenas/stadiums… ) greatly out weighs the disadvantages in when emergency medical services are immediately called.
From personal experience, a major concern is that a significant number of AEDs in my community are improperly maintained, lacking a maintenance plan. When I teach out-of hospital resuscitation programs; as part of training, I ask students to locate their in house AED and on several occasions find low batteries, expired pads…
On one occasion, while I was teaching, a student became severely ill and after assessing the student, called 911, had a staff member go and retrieve AED “just in case of cardiac event ” - after EMS had taken the patient to hospital, I checked the unit with the staff - low batteries and expired AED pads. I think this is an issue that needs to be addressed with certain workplaces as I do my best to make sure that they are informed about the proper maintenance and offer them solutions on updating their AEDs - this isn’t my job, but I care about healthcare making our community safer.
PROS UNLOCKED
- Effortless public access
- Immediate bystander CPR/AED -improving overall survivor stats.
CONS UNLOCKED
- Theft
- Lack of maintenance plan/control
- Environment conditions
- Vandalism
LOCKED AED CABINETS
Recommendation in environments controlled by a specialized emergency response team trained in a variety of emergencies with a duty to respond.
Facilities may also have oxygen, trauma kits, emergency medicine.
My input on where I would have a locked access AED cabinet:
PROS LOCKED
CONTROLLED ACCESS, BETTER MAINTENANCE, OTHER EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
- Civil/Commercial aircraft
- Public transportation
- Medical/Dental Offices
- Event First Aid Stations
CONS LOCKED
- AEDs are inaccessible
- Alarms scare individuals
- Delays: If a key is required, retrieving the AED takes valuable time.
In conclusion locked/unlocked AEDs involves weighing accessibility against security/maintenance concerns. Balancing these approaches optimizes both public access and readiness which they were ultimately meant for.
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Thomas Webber
The debate around AED (Automated External Defibrillator) accessibility, particularly whether to lock AED cabinets, is quite nuanced. Here are some key points:
Benefits of Locked AED Cabinets:
1. Security Locks can help prevent theft or vandalism, ensuring the AED remains available when needed [43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.sussexheartcharity.org/life-saving-accessibility-why-unlocked-aed-cabinets-matter/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "1").
2. Protection Cabinets can protect AEDs from environmental damage, such as dust or water [43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://ddisafety.com.au/aed-cabinet-guide-ensuring-safety-and-accessibility/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "2").Harms of Locked AED Cabinets:
1. Delayed Access: In an emergency, every second counts [43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.sussexheartcharity.org/life-saving-accessibility-why-unlocked-aed-cabinets-matter/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "1"). Locked cabinets can delay access, potentially impacting survival rates[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.sussexheartcharity.org/life-saving-accessibility-why-unlocked-aed-cabinets-matter/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "1").
2. Complexity: If a lock is used, someone must know the code or have access to it, which can complicate the response during an emergency [43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.sussexheartcharity.org/life-saving-accessibility-why-unlocked-aed-cabinets-matter/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "1").Recommendations:
-Unlocked Cabinets Many experts recommend keeping AEDs in unlocked, clearly marked cabinets to ensure immediate access during emergencies [43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.sussexheartcharity.org/life-saving-accessibility-why-unlocked-aed-cabinets-matter/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "1").
- Strategic Placement AEDs should be placed in highly visible and accessible locations[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://aedadvantage.ca/blogs/resources/the-importance-of-aed-placement-accessibility-and-availability?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "3").
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LINO MASOTTI
Locked vs Unlocked AEDs for Public - LINO MASOTTI. (Heart and Stroke Foundation (CANADA) Experienced Instructor/Instructor Trainer - 23 years)
AEDs have proven to save lives and there have been many success stories with PROMPT public AED intervention in a CA. The PROS of having AED CABINETS “unlocked” in the General Public - ready for use especially in areas of increased pedestrian traffic areas (malls, plazas/piazza, convention areas, arenas/stadiums… ) greatly out weighs the disadvantages in when emergency medical services are immediately called.
From personal experience, a major concern is that a significant number of AEDs in my community are improperly maintained, lacking a maintenance plan. When I teach out-of hospital resuscitation programs; as part of training, I ask students to locate their in house AED and on several occasions find low batteries, expired pads…
On one occasion, while I was teaching, a student became severely ill and after assessing the student, called 911, had a staff member go and retrieve AED “just in case of cardiac event ” - after EMS had taken the patient to hospital, I checked the unit with the staff - low batteries and expired AED pads. I think this is an issue that needs to be addressed with certain workplaces as I do my best to make sure that they are informed about the proper maintenance and offer them solutions on updating their AEDs - this isn’t my job, but I care about healthcare making our community safer.
PROS UNLOCKED
- Effortless public access
- Immediate bystander CPR/AED -improving overall survivor stats.
CONS UNLOCKED
- Theft
- Lack of maintenance plan/control
- Environment conditions
- Vandalism
LOCKED AED CABINETS
Recommendation in environments controlled by a specialized emergency response team trained in a variety of emergencies with a duty to respond.
Facilities may also have oxygen, trauma kits, emergency medicine.
My input on where I would have a locked access AED cabinet:
PROS LOCKED
CONTROLLED ACCESS, BETTER MAINTENANCE, OTHER EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
- Civil/Commercial aircraft
- Public transportation
- Medical/Dental Offices
- Event First Aid Stations
CONS LOCKED
- AEDs are inaccessible
- Alarms scare individuals
- Delays: If a key is required, retrieving the AED takes valuable time.
In conclusion locked/unlocked AEDs involves weighing accessibility against security/maintenance concerns. Balancing these approaches optimizes both public access and readiness which they were ultimately meant for.
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Crystal Girard
In response to having AED devices in a locked vs unlocked cabinet I feel tbey should be kept in an unlocked cabinet.
We have been stating that seconds count when saving lives and an AED is a main component in the chain on survival so why not have them easily accessible. Although some bystanders Risk injury by breaking open cabinets others will take time finding someone to open it, both use up valuable time that the victim does not have.
fire alarms are left unlocked and easily pulled and yet we leave them in the open so why should an AED be any different the public with proper education will for The most part leave them as is.
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Rob Martin
Makes sense. The areas I know of AED's, they are not locked up
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Rob Martin
Interesting, will look into this more
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Richard Reynolds
Unlocked cabinets could very result in an AED not be available at all if it’s been stolen or vandalised. lock cabinets already get vandalised and if they can get free access to the AED it’s going to be take.
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Dr. Russell MacDonald
I agree with the proposed treatment recommendations. I reviewed the literature on this topic earlier this year and found no credible evidence of efficacy, effectiveness, or safety. What is published is retrospective, with limitations and biases. What was disturbing is that the National Association of Fire Chiefs were proposing advocating for this maneuver, and there was significant resistance from the EMS community because of scant evidence. To have ILCOR now make a clear, evidence-based statement that there is no role for this (apart from a study protocol) is exactly what is needed to resolve the issue.
Dr. Russell D. MacDonald
Medical Director, Toronto Paramedic Services
Medical Director, Toronto Central Ambulance Communication Centre
Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
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Dr Sreenivasarao Surisetty
The purpose of doing CPR is to maintain cerebral perfusion along with other vital organs. I don't think the technique varies with obesity. Yes, I too agree it's a little bit difficult to do effective chest compressions, but the rescuer has to do that to save a life. Along with chest compressions maintaining the airway also be difficult, but no other way for us, we have to follow the routine guidelines.