Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AED?

An Automated External Defibrillator, also known as an AED, is a portable device that’s used on someone who is in cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is when your heart stops beating.

The AED checks if the heart has stopped beating or if the heart rhythm is normal. If the heart has stopped or the rhythm isn’t normal, the AED will tell the person using it to deliver a shock to get the heart back on a normal rhythm.

AEDs are designed so anyone can use them. No experience necessary. They have simple instructions and include voice prompts. Becoming familiar with an AED before you ever need to use one and learning CPR can help build your confidence in a real cardiac arrest situation.

You can contact an AED supplier to purchase an AED for your business or organization. Emergency Health Services maintains a list of AED suppliers you can contact. If you are an AED supplier and would like to be added to the list email the program coordinator at [email protected].

 

 

AED maintenance should be covered by the manufacturer or vendor you purchased it from. Refer to your device’s manual for more information. Contact your vendor if you have questions about maintenance. You can also register your AED with the EHS AED Registry Program and monitor its maintenance status using the GoodSAM Responder app.

 

 

AEDs are most successful when used within the first 3 to 5 minutes of a cardiac arrest. We recommend they are placed in a visible location that is easy to access by anyone. You can print and post one of our posters to let people know you have an AED on-site.

No. Your AED would be available based on your operating hours. When registering your AED, it’s important to complete the “availability” section in the form. This is where you can add business hours or if you are open seasonally. If your operating hours change remember to update it on the registry. This tells people in an emergency if your open to access an AED.

The program is free. There is no fee to register your AED. You’re only responsible to purchase or maintain it.

The program is about community, and it can only be as successful as those who participate. The reality of a sudden cardiac arrest is about 10% of people survive. We know the survival rate can be higher if people know what to look for, are trained to give CPR, or have access to an AED. We can’t do that with you.

Nova Scotians can help by registering an AED if they have one. They can also receive CPR training. If you are trained in CPR, it’s a good idea to update your training or watch videos as a refresher.

You don’t need to be certified in CPR or AED use to register. However, we always recommend people take this training to be better prepared.

No, they are not the same thing.

A heart attack is when blood and oxygen flow to the heart is reduced or stopped because an artery is blocked. A person having a heart attack will be awake and in pain. They may look pale, sweating a lot, pain or discomfort in their chest that goes to their jaw or down their left arm, feel nauseous or could be vomiting, and have shortness of breath. Heart attacks can lead to a cardiac arrest.

A cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating normally and can’t pump enough blood to the rest of the body. This can happen suddenly, to anyone, anywhere, at anytime. The person will usually fall without warning. They won’t be breathing, moving and have no heartbeat.

A volunteer community responder can be any resident of Nova Scotia who is 18 years of age or older. You will need to register to become a responder and download the GoodSAM Responder app to receive notifications of cardiac arrests nearby. We recommend people who want to be a responder take a CPR and AED use course.

The risk of not using an AED on someone who needs it far outweighs not using one. During a cardiac arrest every second counts. In Nova Scotia, if you are using the AED to the best of your ability, you are protected under the Nova Scotia Volunteer Services Act (a.k.a. the Good Samaritan Act).

GoodSAM medical (GoodSAM) is a U.K., web and app-based platform that Emergency Health Services (EHS) is using in Nova Scotia to enhance our Automated External Defibrillator (AED) registry and volunteer responder notifications. Volunteer community responders can also use the GoodSAM Responder app to respond to cardiac arrest notifications nearby.

Your information is protected and will only be viewed by staff that administer the volunteer community responder program. Before anyone can become a responder, we must verify they are a Nova Scotia resident and are at least 18 years old.

There are more than 1,700 AEDs registered on the EHS AED Map. The GoodSAM Responder app only shows you the closest five AEDs and the closest 10 responders to your location. As your location changes, so too will the available AEDs.

To be notified of a cardiac arrest nearby, make sure the app always has access to your location, not just when using the app. You can adjust your location accuracy in the app under the “ME” tab.