High Occupancy Facilities to be Equipped w/ AED's

[Guest alsfirefighter]

American Heart Association Announces Defibrillator Law Enactment

American Heart Association - Long Island FREE Press at LongIsland.com, 09-12-2007

The American Heart Association announced that a new law that will expand New York State’s Public Access to Defibrillation program by requiring all high-occupancy facilities to be equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED) will take effect tomorrow, September 13, 2007. This move further empowers New York residents to respond to cardiac emergencies, which is critical when you consider that the odds of survival following sudden cardiac arrest decrease by 10 percent for every minute that passes without defibrillation. The legislation which was passed by the State Legislature in 2006, and signed into law one year ago.

“The New York State Legislature has once again improved the chain of survival for cardiac arrest victims in our communities,†said Paul Hartman, Director of Advocacy for the American Heart Association. “This law will further expand New York’s current public access defibrillation program by bringing lifesaving defibrillators into our state’s largest sporting and entertainment venues.â€

Under the legislation (S.7001-B / A.10029-, sponsored by Senator James Alesi (R-East Rochester) and Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Beach), all arenas, sports stadiums, civic centers, gymnasiums and concert halls with a capacity for occupancy by 1,000 or more persons will be required to be equipped with a minimum of one AED and have at least one employee trained in CPR and the use of an AED to be present when the facility is in use. This legislation also extends “Good Samaritan†protections to trained employees and volunteers who use an AED in an emergency situation at such facilities.

About 250,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest. Defibrillation is the only known therapy to treat an individual in cardiac arrest. This technique delivers an electrical shock to the heart and can restore the heart’s normal rhythm. However, it must be done within minutes of the arrest. After as little as 10 minutes, very few resuscitation attempts are successful.

In the past, the ability to defibrillate rested solely in the hands of emergency medical personnel. Unfortunately, quick emergency medical response isn’t always possible.

“The best way to give New Yorkers a fighting chance for survival if they suffer sudden cardiac arrest is to ensure that high-capacity facilities are equipped with lifesaving equipment, and that appropriate personnel are trained in CPR and in the use of an AED,†Hartman said. “This law will save lives.â€

In December 2002, New York became the first state in the nation to require AEDs in schools and at all school sporting and extracurricular events. “Under Governor Pataki’s leadership, New York has led the nation in enacting public policy to expand public access to defibrillation – in our schools, health clubs, and all state buildings and institutions and now all major sporting and entertainment venues.â€

The AEDs-in-schools law alone has resulted in 36 saved lives since December 2002. “AEDs save lives,†said Hartman.

[MerlinMedic 5]

Who gets to pay for the AEDs?

[EJS1810 7]

While this is a great idea, it is another unfunded mandate by NYS

Edited September 26, 2007 by EJS1810