Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are portable, life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly. Quick access to an AED and performing CPR can greatly increase the chances for survival.  Most AEDs are portable, they emit clear-voice prompts as well as have simple, visual instructions.

They can be used by anyone. First aid training is not essential.

AED Facts:

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is among the #1 causes of death in most developed countries.
• SCA is just that – sudden – there are no warning signs and it can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time.
• The majority of people that go into SCA are in public places or at home.
• Every 11 minutes, someone will go into SCA.
• Without the PUBLIC having quick access to and use of an AED & the delivery of CPR the chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest is almost ZERO.
• When in Cardiac Arrest – every second matters, for every minute that goes by, the chance of survival drops by 10%;
  • 0-4 minutes brain damage unlikely
  • 4-6 minutes brain damage begins
  • 6-10 minutes brain damage most likely
  • 10+ minutes brain damage irreversible
• Use of an AED and CPR is the only initial treatment for anyone in SCA.
• With an AED, the chance of surviving SCA can increase to over 75%.
• Average response time within city limits for emergency response to arrive on scene can vary.  On campus Security Services and Emergency First Response Team (EFRT) is 3-5 minutes, however every minute counts.  Both Security Services and EFRT are equipped with portable AEDs.

Naloxone Kits are located within the following AED SaveStations on main campus.  Click here for an interactive location map.

Outdoor – Lot P at Baseball Diamond
Outdoor – Student Centre South Side
Outdoor – Lot H Near Soccer Field
Engineering Technology Building – North entrance
John Hodgins Engineering – Main Lobby
Burke Science Building – Basement Hallway
DeGroote School of Business – Lobby
Bates Residence – Lobby
Hedden Hall – Lobby
Les Prince Hall – Lobby north/west corner
Mary Keyes – North side of Lobby
Brandon Hall – Lobby
Matthews Hall – Centre Stairwell
Whidden Hall – Lobby
Woodstock Hall – Lobby
Edwards Hall – Lobby
McKay Hall – Lobby
Moulton Hall – Lobby
PGCLL Residence – Elevator Lobby Area
Wallingford – Lobby
MDCL – Lobby Next to fire cabinet 1307
McMaster Medical Centre – Health Sciences Library 1st Floor Entrance
Institute for Applied Health Sciences Building – 1st Floor, Elevators
David Braley Athletic Centre – Joan Buddle across from Service Desk
Ivor Wynne – Pool Deck
Ron Joyce Stadium – Beside the football locker
Ivor Wynne Centre – Corridor between Smith & Auxiliary Gym
Ivor Wynne Centre – Hallway Near Turf Gym
Gilmour Hall – Hallway near Rm. 111
Togo Salmon Hall – Basement Hallway near Rm B112
Mills Library – Lobby
Thode Library – Lobby

Resources

Ontario Regulation 559/22: Naloxone Kits – https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r22559

How to Use Naloxone Spray – https://pharmacists-2.wistia.com/medias/bk92ud4ee2

Government of Canada Naloxone – https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/opioids/naloxone.html

Mental Health Commission of Canada – https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/catalyst/kit-in-hand/

CAMH Mental Health and Addiction Online Course – https://www.camhx.ca/Education/online_courses/MentalhHealth101Series/Stigma/story.html

Our AEDs are inspected monthly by our own employees, many of whom are also Joint Health and Safety Committee members. These inspections are documented within a software tracking tool system Action First Aid – Ready for Action. The caretakers of the AED units are reminded through this tracking tool when to do the monthly inspections and when items are reaching their expiry dates.