Cardiac Arrest & AEDs

Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating, causing a lack of blood flow to all vital organs. If not treated immediately, the results can be deadly. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a medical device that can be used during cardiac arrest to analyze heart rhythm and deliver an electrical shock (defibrillation) if needed to help the heart get back to an effective rhythm.

Maryland’s Public Access Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program

The Public Access AED Program in Maryland promotes an increase in AED availability to help save lives during cardiac arrest. The State of Maryland has established a registry for all public access AEDs that:

1. Allows the option to have AED locations made available to 911 dispatch to guide callers to the devices during an emergency; and
2. Provides support to organizations who register their AED machines through maintenance emails, expiration alerts, and recall alerts.

Please visit the Maryland AED Registry to register an AED. (Recommended web browsers include Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox).

To view the Maryland regulations for the Public Access AED Program, please visit the COMAR 30.06 – Automated External Defibrillator Program.

AED Program Requirements

The following is a list of requirements to participate in the Maryland Public Access AED Program:

1. AED Coordinator

Each program is required to have an AED Coordinator who serves as the point of contact for their AED program.

2. CPR & AED Training*

AED Coordinators and individuals who expect to operate the AED** must complete CPR and AED training under the most current American Heart Association guidelines as required by Maryland Regulations in COMAR 30.06.02.01 – Criteria for Registration of Facilities.

To find CPR & AED training courses in your area, you may visit the following:

• http://atlas.heart.org/home
• https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/aed/aed-training/aed-certification
• https://americanfirstresponder.com/american-safety-health-institute-cpraed-first-aid-classroom-training/
• https://hsi.com/solutions/cpr-aed-first-aid-training/programs/adult-first-aid-cpr-aed

**Excludes restaurants & grocery stores as of October 1, 2023, per specified requirements for these entities under Maryland Statute: Health – General Article § 21-330.3.

2. Registration*

Register the AED online at www.marylandaedregistry.com. (Recommended web browsers include Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox). Incomplete applications will not be processed until all information has been submitted through the registry.

Upon successful registration, the AED Coordinator will receive the following by email:

1. 1. 1. AED Certification (valid for 3 years)
      2. AED Monthly Safety Inspection Record
      3. A QR Code and link to the electronic Public Access AED Use Report Form (to report every time an AED has been used)
      4. A link to the electronic MedWatch Voluntary Report Form to communicate AED device issues to the FDA

4. AED Placement*

Ensure AEDs are placed in locations which are visible and readily accessible to any person willing to operate the AED in the event of a suspected cardiac arrest. AEDs should never be locked or restricted from use by anyone on the premises. Signage is recommended to identify the location of the AED for quick access.

5. Equipment*

Please maintain all the necessary equipment as outlined in the Required AED Equipment Checklist.

6. Maintenance*

Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance, inspection, and repair of the AEDs. The Maryland AED registry also provides the AED Coordinator with email alerts on the following:

1. 1. 1. Certificate renewal
      2. Battery and electrode expiration (optional)
      3. Monthly inspection reminders (optional)

7. Monthly Inspection*

Please use the AED Monthly Safety Inspection Record to complete monthly AED inspections.

8. Reporting*

Please complete Public Access AED Use Report Form for Cardiac Arrests and fax to MIEMSS at (410) 706-4366. Include a print out of the AED machine’s event report if available.

9. Compliance*

All AED programs are expected to maintain all requirements as detailed above, including a valid certificate.

10. Excemptions

The following entities are not required to register their AEDs (as per the Maryland Statute: Education Article § 13-517):

1. 1. 1. Healthcare Facilities
      2. Medical/Physician’s Offices
      3. Dental Offices
      4. Jurisdictional EMS Operational Programs
      5. Commercial Ambulance Services

Please note: The State of Maryland does not have jurisdiction over federal properties, therefore federal government agencies are excluded from required participation in Maryland’s Public Access AED Program.

(*) Programs with multiple sites must ensure that each site meets the requirements noted above.

AED Program Contact Information

For additional questions or concerns please contact:

AED-Support@miemss.org  
Phone: (410) 822-1799

Click here for a printable version of this page