The first priority during any emergency is life safety. University Police serves as the primary first responders for emergencies on campus, and work to ensure the safety of the entire campus community. Only University Police are, designated by job description as, first responders for all University emergencies. All other First-aid/CPR/AED trained personnel are voluntary and take direction from University Police in the event of an emergency.
Adult CPR, First Aid, and AED training gives employees, that volunteer to serve, the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide care for injuries and sudden illnesses until University Police arrive. The purpose of this training is to help employees identify and eliminate potentially hazardous conditions in their environment, recognize emergencies, and take the appropriate actions in those first few minutes.
For required work-related training please contact your Supervisor or Environmental Health and Safety at (828) 251-6038 (e.g., training is work-related if selected by your department to perform this duty while on the job). All certifications must be provided by a nationally recognized organization and the requesting Department must provide the funds for their employees to complete any work-related training. Copies of employee certificates must be sent to the EHS Officer for recordkeeping.
For non-work related training, please contact the local chapter of the American Red Cross.
Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Equipment & Inspections
What is an AED?
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm. AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
SCA is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs.
SCA usually causes death if it’s not treated within minutes. In fact, each minute of SCA leads to a 10 percent reduction in survival. Using an AED on a person who is having SCA may save the person’s life.
Equipment Locations
Departments throughout the University have purchased a number of AEDs and placed them in strategic locations on campus.
Below is the current list of AED locations on campus. Note that not all of the listed AEDs will be accessible to the public, or may only be accessible during business hours. This includes AEDs in marked police vehicles, as well as, those in buildings that may be locked after hours.
| Building | Room/Area |
|---|---|
| Highsmith Union | 2nd Floor, Guest Services Desk |
| Justice Center Gym | 2nd Floor, Room 203 |
| Gym Court Level | |
| Kimmell Arena | Southwest Entrance to Basketball Court |
| Millar Complex | Receiving Area, Next to Room S116 |
| 2nd Floor Elevator & Door S236 | |
| Electricians Area, Room N207 & Exit Door | |
| Grounds Area, Room N116 & Restrooms | |
| Reuter Center | 1st & 2nd Floor Restrooms |
| Sherrill Center | 3rd Floor, Room 323 |
| 4th Floor, Outside the Fitness Room | |
| 4th Floor, Elevators across from Rosetta’s | |
| Student Recreation Center | Guest Services Desk |
| Track & Field House | Restrooms |
| WT Weaver | Main Clinic & Room 126 |
Equipment Inspections
Annual
An AED unit must be inspected once a year by a certified company to ensure the equipment is operational and properly maintained. Emergency Management is responsible for annual inspections of AED equipment purchased or owned by the University.
Monthly
An AED unit must be inspected once per month by department staff, where the unit is located, to ensure the equipment is in “ready-to-use” condition. This is accomplished by completing an on-line Monthly Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Inspection. The data is sent automatically to Emergency Management when you submit the Google form.
Emergency Management keeps (1) set of pads and batteries, which most often needs replacement, for each type of AED unit on campus. Contact Environmental Health and Safety at 828-251-6038 if you need equipment assistance.
Training
AED training is required for any employee who must utilize an AED in an emergency. This training is generally combined with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid training for designated employees required to perofrm this duty while on the job. Environmental Health and Safety currently does not provide this training. Talk to your supervisor about AED training if required for your position.
Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Equipment Manuals
Equipment manuals provide instructions on how to operate an AED. If upon inspection, you find the manual is missing for the unit, you can download a replacement copy from the links listed below.
Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 Operator’s Manual
Philips Heartstart FRX 861304 Operator’s Manual
Physio-Control Lifepak 500 Operator’s Manual
Zoll AED Plus Operator’s Guide
Zoll AED Plus Administrator Guide Insert for Pedi-Padz (Infant/Child)
Pandemic and Communicable Diseases
Click the link for the Pandemic and Communicable Disease Emergency Personnel Policy.
Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) Prevention
Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is a very poor substitute for hand washing. Commercial hand sanitizers are fine for most germs (e.g., bacteria), but do little, if anything, to kill viruses. Sanitizers must have at least 60% or more alcohol content and should only be used if handwashing is unavailable (e.g., alcohol content is not always known if the sanitizer is dispensed from a restroom, hallway or free-standing unit).
What You Need To Know About Handwashing
Face Masks and Respirators
This protective equipment is unnecessary and mostly ineffective for those who are not immunocompromised or otherwise healthy. Viruses are spread through fine droplets of body fluids (phlegm) generated when a person coughs or sneezes. So, keeping your distance is key.
If you’ve gone to the doctor’s office when you’re sick, the nurse will ask you to put on a mask while you wait to be seen. This kind of mask is for a person who is sick, not for a person that is healthy. The mask prevents a sick person’s cough and sneeze droplets from getting into the air. A face mask is not a respirator.
A person must be trained to wear a respirator (e.g., particulate or dust mask, N95 respirator, etc.). A person must be fit tested by Environmental Health and Safety, know how to properly wear it, know under what conditions it must be worn, and how to properly dispose of it. Also, men must be clean shaven (e.g., no facial hair of any kind) before using a respirator for it to work properly and effectively.
Should I Wear a Mask To Protect Myself?
The most effective things you can do are:
- Wash your hands frequently
- Don’t touch your face, nose, or eyes if possible
- Don’t chew on pens, pencils, eye glass ear pieces, or similar items
- Keep people (literally) at arm’s length when at school and work
- Avoid shaking hands or other interpersonal contact when possible
- Wash your clothes after each wearing
- Get a flu shot. When you get the flu, it weakens your immune system and makes you more susceptible to other diseases
- Don’t share food or drink
- Wipe “common use” items and surfaces as a precaution (any disposable wipe will work)
- Avoid crowds when possible
Check out COVID-19 Training for Custodians & Maintenance Personnel
Click on the links below for more information.
5 Things to Know About Covid-19?
CDC Covid-19 Web Guide For Employers
MMWR Community Mitigation Guidelines to Prevent Pandemic Influenza — United States 2017