§6-5-332.3. Use of automated external defibrillator.

(a) The Legislature of the State of Alabama finds the following:

(1) Early defibrillation may sustain the life and temporarily stabilize a person in cardiac arrest, thus helping to preserve the Alabama family.

(2) The American Heart Association estimates that more than 350,000 Americans die each year from out of hospital sudden cardiac arrest, and 20,000 deaths may be prevented each year if automated external defibrillators were more widely available.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that an automated external defibrillator may be used for the purpose of saving the life of another person in cardiac arrest.

(c) As used in Section 6-5-332, the term "automated external defibrillator" or "AED" means a medical device heart monitor and defibrillator that meets all of the following specifications:

(1) Has received approval of its pre-market notification filed pursuant to Section 360 (k), Title 21 of the United States Code from the United States Food and Drug Administration.

(2) Is capable of recognizing the presence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia and is capable of determining, without intervention by an operator, whether defibrillation should be performed.

(3) Upon determining that defibrillation should be performed, automatically charges and requests delivery of an electrical impulse through the chest wall and to an individual's heart.

(d) A person or entity that acquires an AED shall ensure all of the following:

(1) That expected defibrillator users receive appropriate training in an American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or other nationally recognized cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course and AED, or an equivalent nationally recognized course.

(2) That the defibrillator is maintained and tested according to the manufacturer's operational guidelines.

(3) That there is involvement of a licensed physician or medical authority in the site's AED program to ensure compliance with training, notification, and maintenance.

(4) That any person who renders emergency care or treatment of a person in cardiac arrest by using an AED activates the emergency medical services system as soon as possible.

(5) That each manufacturer, wholesale supplier, or retailer of an AED notifies purchasers of AED's intended for use in the State of Alabama of the requirements of this section.

(e) A person or entity who acquires an automated external defibrillator shall notify the local emergency communications center or dispatch center of the existing location and type of AED.

(f) This section shall not apply to an individual using an AED in an emergency setting if that individual is acting as a good samaritan pursuant to Section 6-5-332.

(Act 99-370, p. 595, §§1, 2.)