Your club provides an AED onsite - looking out for our members.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - It would be best if we never have to use it, but it is available should the unfortunate happen.

The Royal Kingston Curling Club took the step last year to acquire an AED and make it public access for its membership. An AED is used in cases of life threatening cardiac arrhythmias which lead to cardiac arrest. This simple, low maintenance device can be the difference between life and death.


"Better survival has been associated with the first three links in the “chain of survival”: early access to emergency medical care, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation." - Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest, August 12, 2004. The New England Journal of Medicine


As part of RKCC staff's emergency first aid training, a two hour instruction component on the proper use of an AED was added to this year's St.John Ambulance visit. Our friends at St.John provided hands on exercises, along with basic theory, to train us in the proper procedure for using the AED on a victim. Combined with basic CPR, this device will significantly increase the victim's chance of survival.

Important facts that you need to know about AED's ...

• They are very easy to use - the particular unit that RKCC has available, the Philips HeartStart, uses clear, natural voice instructions to guide the first aider through each step of defibrillation. Designed to not slow you down or leave you behind, it paces and adapts voice instructions to your actions every step of the way. It even reminds you to call emergency medical services (EMS). On-demand CPR Coaching instructs the stressed user on how to perform the necessary breathing and compressions, even if they have never taken a CPR course - this is a VERY important feature.
• Any first aider using an AED is protected from civil liability - basically, you will not be held responsible if the treatment you provide fails to revive or save the victim. This is also a VERY important condition considered by RKCC when the AED was acquired. The Chase McEachern Act became law in 2007 and protects anyone, even a first aider without any certified defib training, from prosecution.

For your reference, I have provided the relevant links to St.John Ambulance and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

I am very happy that the club is finally able to provide this device for the safety of its members and guests, but, as I said at the top, it would be best if we never had to use it.

Training for club members on the proper use of the defibrillator could be arranged if the interest was sufficient. A lesson could be coordinated to take place in our lounge at the club, for a small fee per attendee. Please contact the office if you are interested.