Sudden cardiac arrest is a scary event that can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. It doesn’t matter how young or old a person is, everyone is susceptible to sudden cardiac arrest. As a result, laws have been enacted that now require AEDs and other emergency medical equipment to be easily accessible and ready in the event that someone goes into sudden cardiac arrest. Most of these locations are large, public spaces where vast amounts of people congregate. While not every location is mandated by law to have an AED on hand, some have elected to keep one on the premise just in case. Here are a few of the most common places where you are guaranteed to find an AED if needed.

Health and Fitness Clubs

Currently, only California, Oregon, Nevada, Louisiana, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island have laws requiring health and fitness clubs to have and maintain an AED on site. This is largely due to the publicity surrounding athletes who suddenly experience cardiac arrest and are saved by quick thinking and easy access to an AED. While the majority of states do not require health and fitness clubs to have an AED on site, many facilities elect to do regardless.

Schools

Currently, 22 states require schools to have a minimum of one AED. Even when not mandated by law, many schools have an AED on site to showcase their commitment to the safety of their students and staff.

Airports

It is recommended by physicians that areas where large numbers of people congregate, like airports. The number of people who travel via airplane, coupled with the number of people who work at airports, represent a small city. Currently, there is no legislation in place that mandates that airports have AEDs. Although, nearly every major airport in the United States has at least one in every terminal.

Arenas, Concert Halls, Large Event Venues

Arenas, concert halls, and large event venues allow hundreds if not thousands of people to gather inside on a regular basis. With that many people frequenting a venue, they are generally going to be equipped with one or more AED in a visible location. Most venues take the mitigation of sudden cardiac arrest a step further by providing training to security and medical personnel. In the event that a patron at one of these facilities experiences cardiac arrest, there will be people around who know where an AED is located and are trained to use it.

Government Buildings

Government buildings are not required by law to have an AED on site, yet many do. Often times you’ll find an AED inside city offices and county courthouses.

While not everyone will know how to use an AED, just knowing that there is emergency medical equipment, like an AED, nearby could save a person’s life.