On June 11, 2016 my husband had heart attack at his place of employment. CPR was administered, but it was just not enough to save his life. After a week in the hospital we lost my husband. Had his place of employment (which is a large store chain) had an AED (automated external defibrillator) my husband could still be here with us. My husband was only a 61 year old man who left behind 5 children, 19 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
So this got me thinking, what are the mandates in Delaware on where these life saving machines are available to be used? What I found was shocking! Delaware has no laws mandating any entity to carry a simple to use machine that could save so many lives!
Delaware State AED Laws
So I took my research nationwide and see for yourself how minimal the laws in our country are for public entities to carry these machines that could save THOUSANDS!
US AED Mandates
As I kept going with my research I came across The American Red Cross Educational page on these machines and the first thing I read at the top of their page was this:
"The American Red Cross supports the position that improved training and access to AEDs could save 50,000 lives each year. The Red Cross believes that all Americans should be within four minutes of an AED and someone trained to use it."
American Red Cross AED Educational Info
I know this is not just an issue in the State of Delaware but my goal is to get some laws and mandates here that public entities must be required to carry these life saving machines! I think that if we can set an example in our state than we will be able to take this nationwide!
The lack of knowledge on these machines that are so simple to use is appalling in my opinion! Lets make this known and save some lives!
I am asking to get as many signatures as I can to get the attention of our governor to do something about this issue. This issue of the lack of access effects us all! Make your voice heard!
Pass a law for all public entities to be mandated to carry AEDs and train staff on the use of them. It could be your life that is saved by one!
