scope:

PURPOSE

a. This MWI implements the Center requirements for the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program to provide timely response to victims of sudden cardiac arrest as required by Public Law 106-505.

b. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The American Heart Association estimates that 250,000 Americans die each year from sudden cardiac death as a result of coronary artery disease. Sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation is a treatable condition and potentially survivable, when defibrillation is applied within the first minutes. The quick response of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in a community can have a significant impact on survival rates from cardiac arrest. The use of an AED and properly performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), early recognition, and application by trained lay rescuers can improve the outcome from cardiac arrest.

APPLICABILITY

a. This MWI applies to Center personnel, programs, projects, and activities, including contractors and resident agencies to the extent specified in their respective contracts or agreements. ("Contractors," for purposes of this paragraph, include contractors, grantees, Cooperative Agreement recipients, Space Act Agreement partners, or other agreement parties participating in the AED program.)

b. This MWI does not apply to the Michoud Assembly Facility.

c. This MWI does not replace emergency medical services.

d. This MWI applies the following: all mandatory actions (i.e., requirements) are denoted by statements containing the term "shall." The terms: "may" or "can" denote discretionary privilege or permission, "should" denotes a good practice and is recommended, but not required, "will" denotes expected outcome, and "are/is" denotes descriptive material.

e. This MWI applies the following: all document citations are assumed to be the latest version unless otherwise noted.