01/14/2026
Many organizations own AEDs. That does not mean they are usable. We routinely see devices placed behind locked doors, inside offices that are not always staffed, or in locations no one remembers during an emergency. In several cases, employees knew an AED existed but lost critical minutes trying to find it. Cardiac emergencies do not wait for access approval.
An AED must be visible, reachable, and immediately deployable by non-medical staff under stress. Placement matters as much as ownership. Training must include location awareness, not just device operation.
An AED that cannot be reached in time is functionally absent.