A sudden cardiac arrest occurs when someone’s heart stops beating. When the heart stops working, blood and oxygen stops flowing to the brain and vital organs. Immediate intervention with cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) increases the chance of survival.
What is an AED?
An AED is a portable, battery-powered medical device that monitors the heart’s activity and delivers an electric shock if needed. The AED uses electrodes/pads that are placed on a person’s chest and are attached to the AED with wires. The wires relay information from the body to the AED machine. The internal computer analyzes the heart’s electrical system. If certain kinds of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are found, the machine can deliver an electric shock. This shock can reset the heart’s electrical activity and cause it to beat normally again.
How does an AED work?
The heart has its own electrical system. It controls how the heart contracts and pumps blood—or “beats.” Heartbeats are known as the heart rhythm. Sometimes a person can have abnormal heartbeats; these are known as arrhythmias. Certain kinds of dangerous arrhythmias can cause sudden cardiac arrest. One dangerous arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation. This causes the heart’s lower chambers to flutter wildly instead of pump; they can’t move blood out of the heart when this happens. Another dangerous arrhythmia is called ventricular tachycardia. This causes the heart’s lower chambers to pump too fast. It can also cause the heart to not pump blood out of the heart.
An AED can detect these arrhythmias. It can then give an electric shock to the heart. This can help it stop an abnormal rhythm and restart a normal heart rhythm that pumps blood normally.
Using an AED
It is important to be trained in the use of an AED. An AED can help save a person’s life so it is extremely important to implement an AED as soon as possible (within minutes).
AEDs have an internal computer and speaker that provides auditory verbal commands/instructions. There are several models of AED which have minor differences. In many cases, all that is required is to turn on the AED and place the AED electrodes on the person as indicated by the sample picture on the pads. The AED will automatically detect the heart’s activity and either deliver a shock or determine that no shock is needed.
Note: An AED does not replace CPR. It’s used in addition to CPR to increase the chance of survival. If a person is unresponsive and not breathing, immediately call for help and start CPR. Do NOT delay starting CPR while waiting for someone to bring an AED. An AED can be placed on a person and integrated into the performance of CPR. Performing CPR may circulate enough blood to the brain and organs until an AED can shock a person’s heartbeat into a normal rhythm.
AED and First Aid Kit Locations
The equipment and supplies in the following locations are on a regular schedule to be serviced and restocked. Any first aid kit not included in this list is not inspected by EHS and may contain expired products or insufficient stock.
El Segundo
| Building | Location |
| A1 | Lobby next to STARS |
| A1 | 2nd floor near elevator |
| A1 | 4th floor near elevator |
| A1 | 1007 |
| A2 | 1st floor hallway by room 1264 |
| A3 | Cafeteria next to ATM |
| A5 | Basement east elevator |
| A5 | 1st floor Lobby break room |
| A5 | 2nd floor east elevator |
| A5 | 3rd floor east elevator |
| A6 | 1st floor east stairs |
| A8 | 1st floor lobby desk |
| C1 | Lobby (lower level) |
| D1 | Hallway intersection room 404 |
| D3 | East entrance |
| D5 | Warehouse Restroom |
| D7 | 3rd Floor Lobby |
| D8 | Lobby |
| D8 | Cafeteria |
| D9 | 5th Floor West entry |
Albuquerque
| Building | Location |
| City Place | 5th Floor Kitchenette |
| City Place | Front Lobby – Security Desk |
Colorado Springs
| Building | Location |
| COS-1 | Lobby |
| COS-1 | Rm 1506A Kitchen |
| COS-1 | 2nd Floor |
| COS-2 | Lobby |
| COS-2 | 2nd Floor |
| COS-2 | 3rd Floor |
Chantilly/ East Coast
| Building | Location |
| Chantilly A-101 | ACC North Tower Plaza |
| Chantilly A-101 | ACC North Tower 7th Floor |
| Chantilly A-101 | ACC North Tower 5th Floor |
| Chantilly A-101 | ACC North Tower 3rd Floor |
| Chantilly A-101 | ACC North Tower 2nd Floor |
| Chantilly A-101 | ACC Café Dining Room West Wall |
| Chantilly A-101 | ACC SCC |
| Chantilly A-101 | ACC VS Lobby |
| Chantilly A-101 | ACC Hexagon (Corona) Lobby |
| Chantilly A-101 | ACC Fitness Center |
| Chantilly – Greens III | Lobby |
| Chantilly – Main Campus | Data Center |
| Chantilly | Security Vehicle |
| Columbia | Outside Security Office |
| Crystal City | Room 933 |
Additional Campuses
| Building | Location |
| Cape Canaveral | Corridor near side door |
| Huntsville | Copy Room |
| Pasadena | Copy Room |
| Vandenberg Bldg. 7015 | Room 209 |
| Vandenberg Bldg. 8500 | Room 161 |
Updated 10/18/24