Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurring outside the hospital setting is a leading cause of death in the US, about 350,000 victims die annually. The most common forms of SCA are treatable with defibrillation: shocking the heart with electrical energy delivered by an Automated External defibrillator (AED). The most important variable impacting SCA survival rates is delivering the first shock within 4- 5 from the moment an individual experiences SCA. AEDs are now commonly available in many private and public settings. Despite the rapidly growing number of available AEDs, and the need for AEDs to be retrieved and used rapidly, publicly available AEDs are rarely retrieved and used because bystanders can’t see them and 9-1-1 dispatchers are typically unaware they are nearby. Knowing AED location information enables 9-1-1 agencies to help someone like you use an AED to save a life.  

AED Statues

The DC Council has “recodified” the AED statutes so that:

• 44-232 now appears at 7-2371.02; and
• 44-233 now appears at 7-2371.03. 

Reference: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/7/chapters/23D/ and attached below.

Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs Registration)

For this reason the Public Access to Automated External Defibrillator Act of 2000 requires that any person or entity who acquires an AED notify DC Fire and EMS of the existence of the AED, its location, type, re-location or removal by registering it. To register an AED, please click here.