Can I Travel With an AED?

Can I Travel With an AED?

Can I Travel With an AED?

Is it Safe to Travel With an AED?

Yes. Traveling with an AED is a great idea — especially for those at higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest, stroke, or heart attack. For people who have a high risk of cardiac arrest, having a portable AED with them while they travel can provide peace of mind. And might help save their lives. 

Traveling with an AED may also be indicated for the elderly and those with heart disease or a family history of coronary artery disease. Other risk factors include:

  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • A sedentary lifestyle

Source: Mayo Clinic

How Effective Are AEDs?

About 350,000 sudden cardiac arrests (SCA) occur outside of hospitals each year — and about 7 in 10 of those happen at home (Centers for Disease Control). Tragically, about 50% of the people who experience sudden cardiac arrest at home don’t get the help they need from family members, friends, or other bystanders before emergency responders arrive.

However, if someone begins CPR and uses an AED within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, it can double or triple the chance of survival (CDC).

How Do I Safely Store My AED While I Travel?

Not only do hot temperatures increase the likelihood of hypothermia — which can lead to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) — but weather extremes may also negatively affect the performance of your AED.

Whether you keep an AED for personal use in your vehicle or your commercial fleet is equipped with durable, portable AEDs, like the Philips HeartStart FRx, it’s smart to understand how hot weather can impact your AED.

AED batteries drain more quickly in hot temperatures. AEDs that are too hot may fail to operate, rendering them useless in emergency situations. The way you store your AED in the summer can make a huge difference in your AED’s rescue readiness.

Each AED manufacturer lists the optimal operating temperature ranges for their devices; typically, 32° to 122°F. To prolong the lifespan and help ensure the efficacy of your AED, don't store the unit in a place where temperatures dip below freezing or rise to 122°F or high

We all know how hot a car parked in the summer sun can feel. But how hot is it, really? Researchers studied how long it takes different types of cars to heat up on hot days. The findings were sobering: Within just one hour, the temperature inside of a car parked in the sun on a day that reaches 85 degrees Fahrenheit can reach 128 degrees (goodcalculators.com).

With this in mind, we recommend taking your AED inside when the car is parked. 

To learn more about our portable AED options, visit our website, call our team at 800-544-0004, or email Cardio Partners at customerservice@cardiopartners.com

DISCLAIMER: Information and resources found on the aed.com website and blog are intended to educate, inform, and motivate readers to make their health and wellness decisions after consulting with their healthcare provider. The authors are not healthcare providers. NO information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition.

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