The Great Defibrillator Debate: Weighing the Pros and (Potential) Cons

The ready availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) significantly improves the odds that the victims of sudden cardiac arrest will survive, so it might seem like a no-brainer for community associations — especially those with aging populations — to install the devices. This week, we dig into why it’s important to understand some of the potential drawbacks before doing so.

AEDs are now commonplace in the airline, healthcare, and fitness industries, and they’re beginning to pop up with greater frequency in residential and commercial settings, says Janice Scotton, an attorney with Kaman & Cusimano, LLC, an Ohio law firm dedicated to condominium and homeowner association law. Her clients seem to be following that trend.

“Our clients are asking about AED installation because more and more have recreational facilities where people gather,” she says. “Places like gyms, clubhouses, and pools are areas where a heart incident is more likely to happen.”

Scotton notes that state legislatures are getting behind the idea of wider access to AEDs, too: “Ohio is an example of a state with a legislature that’s encouraging the installation of AEDs by limiting association’s — or any potential user’s — exposure to liability.”

To learn about some other states’ approaches and how your customers should proceed if they decide to install AEDs, check out our new article:

Defibrillators: Help Your Community Associations Navigate the AED Installation Question

Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President