Low Cost AEDs Available

for Churches & Houses of Worship

The Initial Life Support Foundation has established a special program to help place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in more churches and thus provide parishioners and congregants with protection from premature cardiac death. Through the Foundation's program, churches, synagogues, and mosques can obtain assistance in setting up an AED program and are eligible to purchase a brand new AED device priced under $1,000.

Over 1000 people a day die suddenly - often without any warning - from sudden cardiac arrest. Since it is the lethal heart rhythm ventricular fibrillation (V-fib) that is the most common "complication" resulting in cardiac arrest, the need for early application of the medical procedure called defibrillation has long been known and encouraged by the medical community. Many, if not most of those who succumb to sudden death are in the prime of life with "hearts and brains too good to die".

Despite tremendous advances in resuscitation medicine and community emergency services' best efforts, the percentage of "out of hospital" initiated, successful "saves" has sadly been very low. For those who sustain sudden cardiac arrest the medical evidence is very clear: the sooner they are defibrillated the better their chance of many more years of productive life. Putting AEDs in churches and other community gathering places - where minimally trained, ordinary people can use them - is a growing and stunning success story with cardiac arrest survival rates as high as 50-75%.

Establishing an AED in a house of worship is an essential component of onsite emergency medical readiness. But the availability of AED technology is only a part of effective emergency preparedness. Having and properly using an AED requires a concerted effort of planning, training, and ongoing support from qualified individuals.

The Initial Life Support Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides CPR/AED instructors with a variety of free services and resources to help make onsite emergency medical preparedness more effective and AEDs more widely available. Established in 2002 as the AED Instructor Foundation, over 5,000 certified CPR/AED instructors in 45 countries are affiliated with the Foundation.

If you wish to acquire a low cost AED for your house of worship, you will need to contact a local instructor Affiliate of the Foundation who will provide you with a special purchase voucher. For a nominal fee (or in some cases for no charge) this instructor can also provide needed training, support, and assistance in managing your AED program and onsite emergency preparedness. Simply visit our website www.ilsf.info and click on "find an instructor". If members of your parish or congregation are certified CPR/AED instructors or if you choose to seek help from your local EMS service they can join the Initial Life Support Foundation and then they can obtain the required purchase voucher and provide needed training and AED program leadership.

Several different AED models are available at a substantial discount via our PAD Support Program.

In summary, to obtain a low cost AED and establish an AED program in your church, you will need to:

1. Find an Initial Life Support Foundation Affiliate in your community or have a certified CPR/AED instructor in your community join the Foundation.
2. Obtain and complete a special purchase voucher.
3. Obtain a required physician prescription (your instructor can assist with this).
4. Send the voucher with full payment to the Initial Life Support Foundation. (We're sorry, purchase orders cannot be accepted.)
5. Institute AED program planning and oversight, including notifying local EMS. (Your instructor can also assist with this).
6. Conduct needed CPR/AED training for an appropriate number of staff and congregants.

We sincerely commend you for your commitment to the health and well being of your parishioners, visitors and church staff. If you have any questions or need any assistance feel free to contact Foundation Executive Director, Frank J. Poliafico, RN by email at director@ilsf.info or call him at 610-566-2824.