Tri Clubs and AED's

I don't know about what tri clubs do......but I work in an environment where we have AED's everywhere.  In the jail, in the building, in our cars.  The idea is that you HAVE to have it really/pretty close for it to be any good to you. 

What are your thoughts for having it in a tri-club situation?  Have it ready for a group swim?  Have someone carry it for a group bike?  Have someone with it in a vehicle for a bike or run?

Yeah, they are expensive.....but it's a waste if it's "back at the tent".

You'd be better served to pay for everyone to get CPR certified.  I've saved people with CPR and have heard firsthand stories of other saves......and I've failed at it and been around plenty of other failures.  If I were king EVERYBODY would be CPR certified.  It's not as good as an AED but you always have it with you.

The thing about equipment is that it is useless unless you can have it accessible.  I don't think that's easy in a tri-club setting.

Our club does a lot of group workouts: OW swims, bricks, runs, etc.,  In those situations an AED might come in handy in a medical crisis, but as LB alluded to, you would need to work out the logistics of who would be responsible hauling it along.  Not an impossible task, it would just take some organizaiton and buy-in from the members.  You might need to ask some folks to forego the workout and act as SAG volunteers for the event.

We also have a lot of folks who do solo workouts and an AED sitting in the club president's garage probably isn't of much use to them.

From the standpoint of cost and practicality, I guess I'd come down on the side of getting more folks certifiied in CPR and encouraging everyone to carry a cell phone.

Mark

I think it's a great idea.  Eventually here they are going to just keep getting smaller and even more economical.  Just think 10-15 years ago it was a pipe dream to think of having one outside an emergency room.  LB is right though and everyone should know CPR.  Thinking about getting mine re-certified.  I just lost a very dear cousin last Saturday to a massive heart attack.(only 55)  They had a AED on hand and got his heart back going but lost him again on the ride to the hospital...Still can't believe it.

It is a noble idea, but will be a nightmare to administer.

Who will keep it when it isn't in use?
Who will keep track of it?
What will you do if you have one group running and one group riding?
Who will train everyone on using it?

You may consider leasing one rather than buying it if you can get acceptable answers to the questions posed above.