Every year about 220,000 people suffer cardiac arrest and only
about 5 percent of them survive.

Your chance of surviving a cardiac arrest event decrease between 7 and 10 percent
for every minute defibrillation is delayed.

Defibrillation, which means delivering an electric shock to the heart, is the only know treatment to restore the normal heart rhythm.

An AED at your location with trained rescuers can significantly impact the lives of your employees, clients, and customers if intervention is needed.

On November 16th, 2004, The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved Bill 22-04, Health - Fitness Centers - Defibrillators. This is legislation requiring AED's in registered commercial fitness centers. A commercial fitness center is defined as a business where members, clients, or customers engage in exercise indoors. A business includes a for-profit and non-profit organization. This would apply to hotel and condominium fitness centers and to martial arts centers. It would not apply to weight loss centers and dance studios. This requirement does not apply to any fitness center where not more than three persons are employed.

Effective January 1st, 2005 and mandated July 1st, 2005, all commercial fitness centers must have at least one AED and a qualified staff member on site during operating hours. Anyone can operate the AED.

This bill "is not intended to impose civil liability, or relieve any person from civil liability, regarding the presence or use of, or failure to use, any Automated External Defibrillator, except as expressly provided". "A commercial fitness center, or any employee of a center, is not liable in connection with the use or nonuse of an Automated External Defibrillator, unless: (1) the center has not made an Automated External Defibrillator available as required. (2) an employee of a center has acted with gross negligence or engaged in willful or wanton misconduct."

The cost of an AED ranges from $1100 to $3000. AED's are easily used and voice prompts direct the rescuer. This is a common sense measure which can save lives.

The bill is structured in compliance with Maryland Title 30. It is managed by the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS). Title 30 requires:

• A sponsoring Physician;
• AED coordinator responsible for training;
• Orientation to the AED;
• Quality Assurance Program;
• Operational Policies and Procedures;
• AED's Compliance location;
• Telephone/communication access;
• Data report submission to MIEMSS;
• Provide scenario based training;
• Submit a $25 fee to MIEMSS every 3 years;
• MIEMSS approves the application and forwards the information
  to the local PAD coordinators.

The Maryland Facility AED Program Packet (9meg file) can be obtained from MIEMSS. The project coordinator is Lisa Myers at 653 West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland 21202. 410-706-4740

The required equipment in addition to the AED is:

• 2 sets of defibrillator chest pads;
• disposable gloves;
• 1 extra battery set, if the AED uses replaceable batteries other than long life lithium batteries;
• cables (if your AED has removable cables);
• Maryland Facility AED Report Forms for Cardiac Arrests;
• A ready-to-use AED should be kept in a closed, intact case with no visible signs of damage that would interfere with its use.

The Roles of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFRS):

• Information sources for devices,
• training,
• legislative changes,
• co-sponsor an annual conference,
• report on device utilization,
• identify AED location in the building for 911 dispatch,
• maintain a database of registered county AED programs, and
• inspect to assure compliance.