Public Automatic External Defibrillators on Campus Save Lives

No, you don’t have to be faster than a speeding bullet to be a hero – but, when it comes to sudden cardiac arrest, the faster you are, the better.

“Literally every second counts,” says Cpt. Tim Agee, CofC’s residence fire marshal, noting that, according to the American Red Cross, for every minute defibrillation is delayed, the chance of survival is reduced by about 10 percent. What’s more, National Safety Council statistics show that quick access to an automatic external defibrillator (AED) could increase the odds of survival from 5 to 40 percent.

The College has nearly 50 public-access AEDs like this one available across campus.

Fortunately, the College of Charleston has us covered: Through its AED Program established in 2009, Fire and EMS has steadily installed more and more public-access AEDs on campus, bringing the number to 46 and counting.

AEDs are portable computerized devices used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, a condition in which the heartbeat stops abruptly and unexpectedly. Using voice prompts, lights and text messages, AEDs walk users through every step of the way.

Of course, while these portable devices are designed to be used by the untrained bystander, we have to know where to find them in order to use them. According to an American Heart Association survey, only about half of all U.S. employees know where their workplace’s AED is located. Workers in schools and other education facilities were most likely to be able to find it, at 61 percent, but we can do better!

There’s no time to waste looking around – at least not if you want to save the day. The College has given us all what it takes to be heroes. The rest is up to us.

Take the time now to locate the public-access AED closest to you:

Addlestone Library, Security Desk

Albert Simons Center for the Arts, First Floor Elevator

Avery Research Center fir African American History and Culture, Lobby

Beatty Center, First Floor Lobby Near Elevator

BellSouth Building, First Floor Front Lobby

Berry Hall, Entrance

The Marion and Wayland H. Cato Jr. Center for the Arts, First Floor Near Elevator

Craig Union, Admissions Lobby

George Street Fitness Center, Entrance on Left

Grice Marine Lab, Main Entrance

Harbor Walk, East Building, Third Floor Lobby

Harbor Walk, West Building, First Floor Lobby (Elevator)

Jewish Studies Center, First Floor Beside Elevator

Jewish Studies Center, Marty’s Place, Near Restrooms

Mitchell Johnson Physical Education Center, Main Entrance

Liberty Street Fresh Foods Company, Entrance

Lightsey Center, First Floor Lobby Near Elevator

Marty’s Place, Near Restrooms

Maybank Hall, Cougar Mall Entrance

Multicultural Center, Second Floor

N.E. Miles Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC), Hallway

North Campus, Lowcountry Graduate Center

Patriots Point Athletics Complex, First Floor Hallway

Patriots Point Athletics Complex, Tennis Facility, South Wall

Patriots Point Marina, Stewart Walker Sailing Complex, Entrance

Physical Plant Building, Calhoun Street Entrance

Randolph Hall, Fountain Entrance, Near Elevator

Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center, College Way Entrance

Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center, First Floor, Near Restrooms

Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center, Second Floor, Center Corridor

Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center, Third Floor Center Corridor

Robert Scott Small Building, Second Floor Lobby

Rutledge Rivers Residence Hall, Lobby

School of Sciences and Mathematics Building, First Floor

School of Sciences and Mathematics Building, Second Floor

School of Sciences and Mathematics Building, Third Floor

Department of Sociology and Anthropology at 19 St. Philip Street

Department of Sociology and Anthropology at 88 Wentworth Street

College of Charleston Sottile Theatre, Lobby, Near Concessions

Theodore S. Stern Student Center, Second Floor, Near Stairs

College of Charleston Stono Preserve, Ponds Tract Field Station

College of Charleston Stono Preserve, Tract Field Station

TD Arena, First Floor, Practice Gym

TD Arena, Concourse Level NE

TD Arena, Concourse Level SW

Thaddeus Street Jr. Education Center, Atrium Lobby

Walker Sailing Complex, Entrance

White Horse Stables, Stable Office

In addition, there are a number of AEDs on campus that are not publicly accessible. They are at the following locations:

College of Charleston Fire 7 EMS Car 1701

Department of Public Safety, Car 2

Department of Public Safety, Car 3

Fire and EMS Squad 1701

Fire and EMS Squad 1711

Fire and EMS Medic 1702

Patriots Point Athletics Complex, Athletic Training Office

School of Sciences and Mathematics Vans (4)

Student Health Services

TD Arena, Athletic Training Office

Familiarize yourself with this list, which is also available on the Fire and EMS website at https://fireandems.cofc.edu/aed/locations.php. To make sure you know how what to do once you locate the closest AED, visit firereandems.cofc.edu/aed/training.php  for a video demonstrating how to use the College’s AEDs and for information on the AED training offered to the CofC community throughout the semester.

An AED is not a replacement for CPR. Perform CPR until an AED is ready to use, until signs of life are restored or until EMS or another trained responder has arrived to take over. It is important that you also call 911 in all emergency situations on campus, whether it’s to save a life, to stop a crime or to report a fire. For non-emergency matters on campus, call the Department of Public Safety at 843.953. 5609.

Remember, you don’t have to wear a cape or leap tall buildings in a single bound to be a hero. You just have to be prepared to act fast when it really counts. And when you do, everybody wins.

For more information about the College’s AED Program, including training and a full list and map of public-access AEDs on campus, visit fireandems.cofc.edu/aed/index.php.