Carleton AED Program

Carleton College is committed to the health and safety of its students, faculty, staff, other members of the Carleton community and visitors. College departments and other administrative units may acquire an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) with College approval. 

All AEDs on campus will satisfy applicable Minnesota law and guidance relating to the use and maintenance of AEDs.

Minnesota’s Good Samaritan law (Minnesota State Statute 604A.01) provides immunity both to persons operating an AED to render emergency care and to persons or entities providing or maintaining AEDs for use in rendering emergency care. This law was enacted to encourage people to use AEDs to save lives by reducing or eliminating the fear that they could be held liable for ordinary negligence in rendering such care. Carleton encourages students, faculty, and staff to have prior training when using an AED. While an AED can save a life, Carleton community members are not required to use an AED. 

Each year, more than 250,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest. According to medical experts, the key to survival is timely initiation of a “chain of survival,” including CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). An AED is used to treat victims who experience sudden cardiac arrest and/or a heart attack. The AED must only be applied to victims who are unconscious and not breathing (however, when in doubt, attach the pads to an unconscious victim). Non-medical personnel can use these simplified electronic machines to treat a person in cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association notes that at least 20,000 lives could be saved annually by prompt use of AEDs.

• Automated External Defibrillator (AED): a device used to treat victims who experience sudden cardiac arrest.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): is an emergency medical procedure for a victim in cardiac or respiratory arrest. CPR involves physical interventions to create artificial circulation through rhythmic pressing on the patient’s chest to manually pump blood through the heart, called chest compressions.
• Good Samaritan Laws: in the United States are laws or acts protecting from liability those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill. They are intended to reduce bystanders’ hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death.
• Heart Attack: A heart attack is the death of, or damage to, part of the heart muscle because the supply of blood to the heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped.
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest: is the abrupt cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively during systole.
• Systole: the contraction, or period of contraction, of the heart, especially of the ventricles, during which blood is forced into the aorta and pulmonary artery.

1. AEDs are deployed throughout campus for use in emergency situations when sudden cardiac arrest occurs.
2. AED locations are based on accessibility considerations.
3. Security Services regularly inspects AEDs

1. Manufacturers design AEDs for ease of use so any individual can use them. The College encourages the Carleton community to become familiar with the AEDs we have deployed. You can go to this training page to see training videos on the majority of our campus AEDs.
2. The College has a program that provides AED training for first year students.
3. The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross offer AED training programs. The College occasionally offers training sponsored through these organizations.
4. If you are interested in arranging training for your office, department, or student organization, contact the Director of Recreational Sports & Manager Recreation Center at 507.222.4481.

1. Each AED assigned to a building has a cabinet and signage.
2. Each AED has a label that clearly identifies the address of the building in which it is located. Initial responders can use this information when reporting the emergency to 911.
3. Each AED comes with additional equipment including:
   • Latex Gloves
   • Trauma shears
   • Razor
   • Facemask barrier device

1. We make AED internal data available to EMS upon request.
2. Within 1 business day after use of an AED, send the AED report form to Security Services at security@carleton.edu
3. The responding Security Officer documents the event in an incident report.
4. After use, Security Services takes the AED unit out of service and follows the manufacturer’s instructions for disinfection of the unit, replaces used supplies, and places the AED back into service.

1. Reviews the placement of AEDs in College properties.

1. In consultation with the Department of Environmental Health and Safety administers the AED Program.
2. Identifies suggested location(s) for new installations.
3. Maintains a list of AEDs and their locations on campus.
4. Inspects AEDs regularly according to manufacture guidelines.
5. Maintains inspection records for the life of the equipment.
6. Replaces batteries as needed.

1. Assists with review of this program on an annual basis.

1. Installs AED cabinet upon request.
2. Assists with ordering of AED supplies.

1. Maintains AED and CPR training records when provided.

1. Periodically reviews the College’s AED program.

1. Report to Security Services (507.222.4444), when an AED has been used or a cabinet alarm is sounding.
2. Assist first responders as directed in a medical emergency.