Steven M. Gootter Foundation AED Achievements

The Steven M. Gootter Foundation recently provided Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to 20 Southern Arizona high schools that did not have these life saving devices. The long range goal of the Foundation and the Sarver Heart Center is to make sure that all the places where people learn, work, worship and play will have an AED in case it is ever needed. Because of this, the Foundation has also gifted AED’s to the following:

• All (6) Tucson Boys and Girls Clubs
• Reffkin Tennis Center
• ATC (Arizona Theater Company)
• TMA (Tucson Museum of Art)
• Sunrise Drive Elementary School
• Temple Emanu-El
• St. Francis Cabrini Church

They would like to expand this program nationally as the need for AEDs in public places is so great.

What Are AEDs?

The Technology

The automated external defibrillator (AED) is a computerized medical device. An AED checks a person's heart rhythm, recognizes whether a shock is required and administers a shock if needed. The AED uses voice prompts, lights and text messages to tell the rescuer the steps to take. AEDS are very accurate and easy to use. With a few minutes of training anyone can learn to operate an AED safely.

The Need

There are currently no laws governing the distribution or requirement of AED devices. There is simply a recommendation they be placed in US Government Office Buildings.

The Community AED Act (2000) authorized the expenditure of funds to establish public access defibrillation programs. Communities receiving grants would purchase and place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public places where cardiac arrests are likely to occur.

The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (2000) directed the federal government to issue guidelines for the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in federal buildings and extended the "Good Samaritan" protections to those both using and purchasing AEDs. "We think it's critical for people to get Compression CPR training and learn how to use an AED. If more people are trained and respond, we can save thousands of lives," said Lance Becker, M.D., professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and AHA spokesperson.