An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device used when someone is experiencing certain types of cardiac arrest. In cardiac arrest, or sudden cardiac death, the heart’s electrical activity is disorganized and there is no effective pumping of blood. An AED is capable of recognizing the heart's electrical activity, determining if an electric shock is required, and restoring normal heart rhythm.

AED devices are safe. They are programmed to deliver shocks only when the heart rhythm is not effective and the electric shock is definitely required. If the shock is needed, a voice prompt in the AED is activated, telling the rescuer to push a button to deliver the shock. The device is only applied when a person has collapsed in cardiac arrest, has no effective breathing or coughing, and no movement. An AED should not deliver an electric shock if applied by mistake to a person who has fainted or had a seizure.

California law allows the placement and use of AEDs in the home, work settings, and other public locations. Rules for training vary depending on whether the AED is for a specific individual, or for use in a public setting. Orange County Emergency Medical Services should be notified when an AED device is located in a private or public setting anywhere in the County of Orange. Specific information related to AED program requirements can be found by viewing the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Ch. 1.8 provided in links on this page.

Training Organizations

• American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org
• American Heart Association http://www.americanheart.org
• CME Associates http://www.cmecybered.com

The following are a few of the AED training programs available to train the lay public. In addition, these training programs have medical directors that provide prescriptions and medical oversight.

American Red Cross
Contact: Mechelle Barnard
Phone: (714) 835-5381
Address: 601 North Golden Circle Dr. Santa Ana, CA 92702

Center for Health Care Education
Contact: Joan Hepworth
Phone: (909) 782-8200
Address: 3747 Arlington Ave.
Riverside, CA 92506-2608

CME Associates
Contact: Tom Mercier, RN
Phone: (714) 998-2208
Address: 1303 East Lincoln Ave., Suite D
Orange, CA 92865

The Life Trends Group, TLTG Inc.
Contact: Bryan Flynn
Phone: (877) 443-2994
Address: 34145 Pacific Coast Hwy.,#101
Dana Point, CA 92629

Ray Of Life Foundation
American Heart Association Training Site
Contact: Helena Jacobson
Phone: (949) 768-7447
Address 25422 Trabuco Rd #105-477
Lake Forest, CA 92630

UCI Medical Center
Contact: Mark Langdorf, MD
Phone: (714) 456-6011
Address: 101 City Drive South
Orange, CA 92668

Vendors who sell the AED device

Cardiac Science Inc.
Product Name: Powerheart AED
Sales Contact: Enrique Christopherson
Phone(s): (949) 294-5977   (760) 815-8384
Address: 3303 Monte Villa Parkway Bothell, WA 98021-8969
www.cardiacscience.com

Life Saving Services
Product Name: HeartSine Samaritan AED's
Sales Contact: George Pappas
Phone: (714) 842-9207
Address: 6152 Napa Circle
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
www.Life-Saving-Services.com

Medtronic Physio-Control
Product Name: Lifepak 500
Sales Contact: Mark Sheldahl
Phone: (800) 442-1142, ext. 2204
Address: 11811 Willows Road
NEPO Box 97023
Redmond, WA 98073-9723

PHILIPS Healthcare - HeartStart Operations
Product Name: HeartStart Defibrillators
Sales Contact: Bryan Flynn
Phone: (877) 443-2994
Address: 34145 Pacific Coast Highway #101,Dana Point, CA 92629

Ray of Life
Product Name: Any and all AEDs available for purchase
Contact: Helena Jacobson
Phone: (949) 768-7447
Address: 25422 Trabuco Rd #105-477
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Zoll Medical Corporation
Product Name: Zoll AED
Sales Contact: Catherine Prophet
Phone: (800) 242-9150, ext. 571
Address: 32 Second Avenue
Burlington, Mass 01803-4420

For more information

Contact Orange County Emergency Medical Services, 714-834-3500.

Recalls

Class I Recall of certain LIFEPAK CR Plus Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
mfg and distributed from July 9, 2008 through August 19, 2008.  Read More