Businesses that adopt an AED program face lower legal liability

An Emergency Automated External Defibrillator is a small, lightweight device that is designed to assess a person's heart rhythm and to administer an electric shock to restore a normal rhythm in victims experiencing cardiac arrest. A microprocesser inside the emergency defibrillator analyzes the victim's heart rhythm through adhesive electrodes; determines whether defibrillation is needed based on whether or not the victim has a "shockable rhythm"; advises the operator whether a shock is needed; and then charges itself for the administration of that electric shock.

Approximately 95 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital due to the length of time it takes for emergency personnel to arrive on the scene. Emergency Defibrillators in public places may double survival if there are people trained to use them. Emergency Defibrillators are an absolute necessity in all places of business, schools, athletic programs, and organizations. Several states have recently passed legislation in recognition of the life-saving potential AEDs offer against sudden cardiac arrest. These states specifically mandate the deployment of AEDs in various public places and facilities and contribute to the establishment of the Standard of Care within communities. New York State allows a tax credit to taxpayers for purchasing an automated external defibrillator (Tax Form IT-250 -see below). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) "Near Proximity Rule" requires response to life-threatening emergency within three to four minutes. Accessibility is absolutely critical. Though many facilities are placing emergency defibrillators in their buildings, there still needs to be a major "sense of urgency" to install these emergency defibrillators in convenient locations and in protective wall mounting boxes.