AEDs in Alberta: Why Every Community Should Have Accessible AEDs
Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, at any time, and often without warning. When it happens, the first few minutes matter.
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that can analyze a person's heart rhythm and, when appropriate, deliver an electrical shock to help restore a normal heart rhythm. AEDs are designed to be used by members of the public, not just healthcare professionals.
For communities across Alberta, we believe AEDs should be readily accessible throughout public spaces, workplaces, recreation facilities, community facilities and other locations where people gather.
The goal should be simple: an AED should be close enough to retrieve and bring to someone experiencing cardiac arrest within a few minutes.
The Alberta Public Access to Defibrillation (PAD) Program specifically recommends placing public-access AEDs so they can be retrieved within three minutes, ideally allowing 1½ minutes to reach the AED and 1½ minutes to return to the person in cardiac arrest.
Looking for an AED in Alberta?
Cochrane Emergency Training Services (CETS) supplies AEDs to businesses, workplaces, organizations and communities throughout Alberta.
We carry AEDs from leading manufacturers including Philips, Defibtech, Stryker and ZOLL, and can help you choose an AED based on your facility, environment and needs.
We can also help with the practical side of AED ownership, including:
Choosing the right AED for your organization
AED storage and placement
Replacement pads and batteries
AED maintenance and readiness
AED registration
CPR and AED training
Ongoing local support
We often have access to very competitive AED pricing, and because we're a local first aid and emergency training company based in Cochrane, you can also have a local point of contact for questions and hand on support in Cochrane and surrounding area.
If you're looking to purchase an AED in Alberta, we'd be happy to help you find the right option.
Explore AED Sales & Support from CETS.
Why do AEDs matter?
When someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest, their heart stops pumping blood effectively. Without immediate treatment, cardiac arrest can quickly become fatal.
Heart & Stroke reports that approximately 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in Canada each year. Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any age, often without warning.
CPR helps circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body. An AED can analyze the person's heart rhythm and, when appropriate, deliver a shock to help restore a normal heart rhythm.
Heart & Stroke recommends calling 9-1-1, starting CPR immediately and using an AED as soon as one is available. Their guidance emphasizes that every second counts.
That is why AED accessibility matters.
Having one AED somewhere in a large community is not enough. An AED that is several minutes away may be too far away when every second matters.
We need AEDs distributed throughout public spaces and strategically placed so they can be quickly located, retrieved and brought to the person experiencing cardiac arrest.
The three-minute AED goal
When it comes to AED placement, distance matters.
The Alberta PAD Program recommends that public-access AEDs be centrally placed to allow for a three-minute retrieval time. That means approximately 1½ minutes to get to the AED and 1½ minutes to return to the person in cardiac arrest.
This is an important way to think about AED placement.
Instead of asking:
"Do we have an AED in our building?"
Ask:
"Can someone get our AED to a person in cardiac arrest within three minutes?"
That distinction can change how organizations think about where AEDs should be located.
In a large recreation centre, for example, one AED near the main entrance may not provide adequate coverage for the entire facility. A workplace with multiple buildings may need to consider AED access across different areas of the site.
The Alberta PAD Program recommends that AEDs be highly visible, properly signed, near a phone for calling 9-1-1 and placed where they can be easily retrieved.
Heart & Stroke also recommends widespread access to AEDs, particularly in public locations where sudden cardiac arrest is likely.
What is an AED?
An automated external defibrillator, commonly called an AED, is a portable medical device used during sudden cardiac arrest.
If someone suddenly collapses, is unresponsive and is not breathing normally, call 9-1-1, start CPR and get an AED as quickly as possible.
AEDs are designed to guide the user through the process with clear voice and visual instructions. The device analyzes the person's heart rhythm and determines whether a shock is appropriate.
You do not need to be a doctor, nurse or paramedic to use an AED.
Anyone can use an AED by following the device's instructions. Heart & Stroke specifically notes that AEDs are designed for use by members of the public and that the device will only deliver a shock when appropriate.
What is the Alberta PAD Program?
The Alberta Public Access to Defibrillation (PAD) Program is an important part of AED access across the province.
The program, also known as Heart Safe Community, is designed to improve access to AEDs throughout Alberta. It provides information about AED placement, registration, responsibilities and training, and maintains a voluntary provincial AED registry that is coordinated with EMS response.
The Alberta PAD Program encourages communities and AED owners to:
Make AEDs available in publicly accessible areas
Register AEDs through the Alberta Heart-Safe database
Share AED locations with 9-1-1 Emergency Health Services Dispatch
Take CPR and AED training
Maintain AEDs so they are ready for use
The program also provides resources to help organizations determine appropriate AED placement and develop emergency response plans.
Check out the Alberta:
Why should you register your AED?
Buying an AED is only part of making it available to your community.
If you purchase an AED in Alberta, consider registering it through Heart-Safe.ca, the Alberta PAD Program's AED registration system.
The provincial registry provides information about AED locations and helps connect AED information with 9-1-1 EMS dispatch. The program also provides reminders for AED inspections and expiry dates for batteries and pads.
This is important because an AED can potentially help more than just the people inside the building where it is located.
A registered, publicly accessible AED can become part of the emergency response system for the surrounding community.
The Alberta PAD Program currently displays more than 4,000 registered AEDs throughout Alberta.
Where should AEDs be located?
AEDs can be valuable in many different settings, including:
Workplaces and offices
Schools and daycares
Recreation centres
Gyms and fitness facilities
Sports facilities and arenas
Community halls
Churches and places of worship
Construction and industrial sites
Farms and rural properties
Hotels and hospitality facilities
Municipal buildings
Apartment and condominium buildings
Large public venues
Community organizations
The important consideration isn't simply whether an AED exists in a building.
It needs to be accessible and quickly reachable when it is needed.
The Alberta PAD Program recommends that public-access AEDs be highly visible, properly signed and placed where they can be easily retrieved. AEDs should not be locked away out of sight, as this can delay access and may also make regular inspection less likely.
For larger facilities, organizations should consider whether one AED provides adequate coverage or whether additional AEDs are needed to meet the three-minute retrieval goal.
Do I need an AED for my business?
There isn't one simple answer for every business or organization.
Instead, consider asking:
"If someone went into cardiac arrest here, how quickly could we access an AED?"
Think about the size and layout of your facility, the number of people who use it, operating hours, the distance to the nearest known AED and how quickly emergency responders can reach your location.
The Alberta PAD Program notes that AED placement should take factors such as location, EMS response time, population and activity into consideration.
For many businesses and organizations, purchasing an AED can be one part of a broader emergency response plan.
An AED can also be paired with CPR and AED training so employees and volunteers understand what to do during a cardiac emergency.
What should you consider when buying an AED?
If you're researching AEDs for sale in Alberta, the purchase price is only one part of the decision.
You should also consider:
AED reliability and ease of use
Look for a device that is straightforward to operate and provides clear instructions during an emergency.
Replacement pads and batteries
AED pads and batteries have expiration dates and will eventually need to be replaced. Find out the ongoing cost and availability of replacement supplies before purchasing.
Warranty and manufacturer support
Consider the warranty, expected lifespan and support available from the manufacturer and your AED supplier.
Where the AED will be stored
Your AED should be easy to locate and accessible to the people who may need it.
Your environment
Some workplaces have environmental considerations such as extreme temperatures, dust, moisture or outdoor use. Make sure the AED you choose is appropriate for the environment where it will be stored.
Training
AEDs are designed to guide users during an emergency, but CPR and AED training can help people feel more prepared to respond.
Registration and maintenance
Make sure you have a plan to register the AED and keep track of pads, batteries and other supplies so the device remains ready to use.
AEDs, CPR and community preparedness
An AED is most effective as part of a coordinated emergency response.
If someone experiences a suspected cardiac arrest:
Call 9-1-1. Start CPR. Get an AED. Use the AED as soon as it is available.
Heart & Stroke recommends this sequence and emphasizes the importance of acting quickly.
ILCOR's current recommendations also emphasize rapid access to AEDs during cardiac arrest. When an AED is not immediately available and more than one rescuer is present, ILCOR recommends that dispatchers provide instructions for locating and retrieving an AED, supported where possible by current public-access AED registries. Once an AED arrives, dispatchers should provide instructions for its use.
At CETS, we believe emergency preparedness isn't just about having the right equipment. It's about making sure people know where that equipment is, can access it quickly and feel prepared to use it.
CETS AED Sales & Support
Whether you're purchasing your first AED, replacing an older unit or adding additional AED coverage to a larger facility, CETS can help.
We provide AED sales and support throughout Alberta, with our home base in Cochrane.
Our team includes healthcare professionals and first responders who understand the importance of having emergency equipment that is accessible, maintained and ready to use.
We can help you choose an AED, answer questions about ongoing supplies and help you consider practical AED placement for your workplace or facility.
Looking for an AED for your Alberta business, workplace, organization or community?
Explore AED Sales & Support with CETS.
And if you already have an AED, take a few minutes to make sure it is:
Registered. Accessible. Maintained. Ready.
Because having an AED nearby isn't just about having a piece of equipment on the wall.
It's about making sure help can reach someone when they need it.
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