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Abstract
In the United States, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) strikes 250,000 people per year and less than 5% survive; however, the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) could prevent approximately 50,000 of these deaths per year. The potential for SCA to occur in sport and recreation settings is well documented. One study showed that sport stadiums, golf courses, and health/fitness facilities are among the top 10 public places with the highest incidence of SCAs. This study examined AED implementation, related risk management practices, and perceived constraints to AED implementation in Florida's municipal recreation and park agencies. Municipal recreation and park administrators in Florida (N=96) participated in this study. The majority (71%) of respondents were male between the ages of 40–49 (37%), CPR certified (65%), had worked in their current position less than 6 years (48%), served a community with a population less than 75,000 (79%), and were interested in learning more about AEDs (70%). The majority (69%) of agencies did not have an AED. Results revealed that many agencies with an AED were not following American Heart Association AED program implementation guidelines, and some agencies were not fully complying with Florida AED immunity provisions which may afford them certain liability protections. The primary perceived constraints to AED implementation were (1) they were not needed due to the proximity of local emergency medical services, (2) the cost of purchasing an AED, (3) a lack of information about protection from liability, (4) concern that having an AED was not a current standard industry practice, and (5) a lack of knowledge about AED certification and training. Given the importance of AEDs as lifesaving devices, these results may assist educational and promotional efforts targeted towards recreation and park agencies.