History of AEDs

Defibrillation was first demonstrated in 1899 by Prevost and Batelli, two physiologists from University of Geneva, Switzerland. They discovered that small electric shocks could induce ventricular fibrillation.

The first use of a defibrillator on a human was in 1947 by Claude Beck, professor of surgery at Case Western Reserve University. Beck first used the technique of defibrillation successfully on a 14 year old boy who was being operated on for a congenital chest defect. In the 1960s, portable defibrillators were introduced for use in ambulances. Today, defibrillators are the only proven way to resuscitate a person who has had a cardiac arrest and is still in persistent ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia at the arrival of rescuers.

History of AEDs at Penn

In the fall of 1999, after conducting extensive research, the University of Pennsylvania Police Department was one of the first police agencies in the Philadelphia region to deploy AEDs in department patrol vehicles.

Since that time, the Division of Public Safety has coordinated and helped facilitate the purchase and placement of numerous AEDs throughout the main campus and several satellite sites, including the School of Veterinary Medicine's New Bolton Center campus.

Using an AED:

An AED is intended to be used by persons who have been trained in its operation. The user should be qualified by training in basic life support or other physician-authorized emergency medical response (CPR/AED certification).

In simplest terms, an AED should be applied to a person who is exhibiting symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest. Once activated, an AED will prompt a rescuer to place pads on the victim's bare chest. The AED will then analyze the victim's heart rhythm, charge, and advise that it will deliver a defibrillation shock if the victim is in persistent ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.

---

CPR & AED Training:

The Division of Public Safety will coordinate Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED training for your school or center's AED responders. Contact the Office of Deputy Chief of Police, Tactical and Emergency Readiness, Michael Fink at 215-898-9935 or mfink@publicsafety.upenn.edu to schedule CPR and AED training.

Installing an AED in your Building

Sudden cardiac arrest is the number one cause of death in the United States and can strike anyone, anywhere. It strikes about 7,000 children and more than 365,000 people in total every year.

At Penn, sudden cardiac arrest can strike students, faculty, staff and visitors, so it is extremely important to be prepared to respond quickly to sudden cardiac arrest. Having an accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED) used to quickly deliver a life-saving shock often means the difference between life and death. When a victim experiences sudden cardiac arrest, every minute counts; every minute a victim goes without defibrillation, the chances for survival decrease by 7%-10%. But having an AED installed at your location can allow on-site trained responders, or nearby emergency responders, deliver potentially life-saving defibrillation therapy quickly and effectively.

Join your Penn colleagues in the schools and centers that have already chosen to take part in the Penn HeartSafe program. By doing so, you help Penn continue to be a healthier and safer institution for our entire community.