The new Oregon law requiring larger businesses to have at least one automated external defibrillator and AED-trained personnel on the premises goes into effect Jan. 1. Across the state businesses are getting ready to comply.

Cardiac Science’s Oregon AED expert Jeff Hoyt has been out in the field, assisting Oregon businesses with AEDs, AED management programs, and AED training. He estimates that between 60 and 70 percent of businesses affected by the law now have the AED programs in place. For the remaining companies, it’s a matter of grappling with research and budgetary issues — and coming up to speed about the impact AEDs are having in terms of saving lives in the workplace and in the community.

Each year, 365,000 people in North American die of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The Red Cross estimates that more than 50,000 of those deaths would be preventable if communities have a “chain of survival.” The chain of survival includes widespread CPR training, availability of AEDs in business and public places, and the latest emergency services and hospital protocols for handling SCA patients.

“A lot of business weren’t aware that sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death,” Hoyt said. “And they didn’t know about the latest AED technology. Quite often, when they hear about the prevalence of SCA, and what AEDs can do to safeguard their customers and employees, they’re enthusiastic about getting the technology.”

The easy-to-use Powerheart AED G3 Plus features RescueCoach voice prompts that can guide even an untrained user through a rescue. The Powerheart’s Rescue Ready technology self-checks all main AED components so the AED is ready when needed.

Oregon Senate Bill 556 mandates AEDs for businesses with facilities of 50,000 square feet or more that have more than 25 visitors per day. (Most educational and religious facilities, however, are not affected by the new law.)

For more information about compliance with the Oregon AED law and the required AED equipment and AED training, please contact Jeff.

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