Program Overview
The University of Virginia is committed to maintaining the safety of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to Grounds. To this end, UVA Emergency Management oversees and maintains the Academic Division Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program.
AEDs and Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating. This condition affects nearly 400,000 Americans annually, and is responsible for 1 death every 90 seconds in the United States. Each year, sudden cardiac arrest claims more lives than cancer, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and accidental trauma combined. AEDs are clinically proven to increase survival from sudden cardiac arrest. Studies have shown that the early application (within 3-4 minutes of the onset of cardiac arrest) of an AED can increase survival rates by nearly three times.
Academic Division AED Program
Map of Academic Division Public Access AEDs at UVA (Click any location to find additional information such as room number and location description)
Listing of Academic Division Public Access AED Locations
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) plays a vital role in the chain of survival from cardiac arrest. While the first uses of external chest compressions were documented as early as 1903, CPR did not become a standard of treatment until the early 1960s. Endorsed by the American Heart Association in 1963, CPR has evolved ever since. As more research is conducted on the subject of cardiac arrest, the American Heart Association continues to refine its guidelines, which generally are released every five years. In a recent update, the option of "Hands Only CPR" was introduced. Aimed at non-professional rescuers, "Hands Only CPR" removes mouth-to-mouth from the steps of CPR, instead focusing only on high quality chest compressions.
Contact Information
General Program Information
Departments, schools, and facility construction projects are responsible for the procurement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). The ongoing monthly inspections, as well as the maintenance and replacement of batteries and electrode pads, are supported through central funding.
For more information on the Academic Division AED program, please email [email protected].
For information on CPR/AED courses, visit the CavsCARE website, and for courses offered at the Medical Center, please visit the UVA Health Life Support Learning Center.
AED Issues
If you notice an issue with an AED, or it has been used, please email [email protected].