AEDs Available to Councils and Units

Jose Lepervanche is Scoutmaster of Troop 182 in Jacksonville, Florida. On July 1, 2007, Jose arrived at Woodruff Scout Reservation, along with 900 Scouts and a hundred other leaders. After the opening campfire, Jose collapsed. CPR was administered immediately, and then Jose’s heart was shocked five times with an AED brought by EMTs. Two days later, Jose regained consciousness, and he was released after 12 days in the hospital with a permanent implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Jose’s complete story can be viewed at http://www.suddencardiacarrest.org.

As reported in the Spring 2008 Health and Safety Newsletter, a survey of BSA local councils revealed that 21 percent of council offices and 58 percent of council camps have automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in place to Be Prepared for sudden cardiac arrest emergencies that affect more than 325,000 Americans annually. If CPR and defibrillation are not applied within 10 minutes after sudden cardiac arrest, there is virtually no chance of survival. However, in situations where defibrillation is provided within five to seven minutes, the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest is as high as 49 percent. Active promotion of CPR and AED education, especially training, can help every Scout, Scouter, and family member to be prepared for such an emergency.

Do You Need an AED?

As part of the BSA's effort to make 100 percent coverage a reality for your offices and camps, councils can take advantage of offers from two great program supporters: Philips Medical, which has been providing AEDs to BSA councils since 2005, and Cardiac Science, which joined us in 2008.

Preferred pricing structures have been enhanced and extended to units that would like to purchase AEDs, support services, and equipment for unit use or for their chartered organizations, service projects, schools or throughout their communities.

A brief description of the programs available are:.

Cardiac Science (click for preferred vendor pricing)

As of August 2008 we are proud to announce an alliance with Cardiac Science as a BSA AED program supporter. This strategic alliance enables BSA councils to receive preferred vendor pricing on Cardiac Sciences Powerheart AED G3 Plus Automatic and other products. To view a demonstration of the Powerheart AED G3 Plus Automatic, click here.

If you would like to take advantage of the program, call Cardiac Science Support Team at 866-289-5649. Mention Promotional Code “BSA” when calling.

Philips Medical (click for special BSA promotion codes)

As of October 2008, Philips Medical has set up a special Web site to handle Boy Scout inquiries. Promotional discount codes to use on the Web site are in the above download.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is medical direction required?
Medical direction is important in maintaining a quality AED program. One of your volunteer physicians may act as a medical director, or you may contract for qualified medical direction. The FDA requires a physician to authorize the purchase of defibrillators, and most states require that a physician oversee the defibrillation program as medical director. Responsibilities may vary by state, but the most effective medical director is someone who will be directly involved in day-to-day decisions.

Do we need special training?
While AED technology advancement has enabled laypersons to use the device, being prepared includes appropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED training for those who might need to use the AED. This program also provides training AEDs and integrated management solutions to assist with the effort. Existing training agreements such as the one with the American Red Cross can be utilized as well. The same training you would take to conduct a Safety Afloat tour can be used if it has an AED component.

Will this really save a life?
Yes.
National Council: The story of Jose Lepervanche is not the only one. If you have time, give Gloria Lundin, RN, the occupational health nurse at the national council, a call. She’ll tell you how, along with Jim Wilson and Dave Campbell, the team at the national office saved the life of Gretchen Menchew, a private contractor who was visiting for a meeting on March 1, 2007. Quick application of CPR and use of an AED were critical to saving her life.
Bay-Lakes Council: “…The words “Thank You” can barely express the gratitude I feel to those that helped save my life on July 29th. Without God’s grace, a quick responding staff member at your waterfront and the AED that Camp Rokilio had the foresight to purchase; I surely would not be alive to write you this card. I feel so very blessed to have had all of the key players and equipment in place to save me that day…” Paula Arbaugh

What if I have an AED story to share?
Many stories of saves exist; please feel free to share them with us: health.safety@scouting.org.

Questions on the alliance? Contact the Health and Safety team at 972-580-2447 or health.safety@scouting.org.

A brief description of the programs available are:.

Cardiac Science (click for preferred vendor pricing)

If you would like to take advantage of the program, call Cardiac Science Support Team at 866-289-5649. Mention Promotional Code “BSA” when calling.

Philips Medical (click for special BSA promotion codes)

As of October 2008, Philips Medical has set up a special Web site to handle Boy Scout inquiries. Promotional discount codes to use on the Web site are in the above download.