The Neighborhood Watch Model

Several communities around the country have established their own neighborhood PAD programs. Naperville, IL is one community that is exploring the installation of AEDs at the neighborhood level. City officials say theyre working with the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation to promote the installation of automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in residential neighborhoods throughout the city. Many neighborhoods have a central location well known to residents, such as a small park, which could make a sensible location for the placement of a neighborhood AED.

Signage

While most of America is more familiar with the red AED sign shown here, recently, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) has approved a bright green universal sign indicating the presence of an automated external defibrillator (AED). There is also a red version of this newer logo designed for use in North America.

Both signs are intended to indicate the presence of an AED, the location of an AED in a room, a container with an AED for public use, or to indicate the direction to follow in order to reach the AED.

Incentives

Committed community groups, citizens, or business owners can implement a AED matching program. When equipping their own locations, business owners could donate an extra defibrillator to a local group such as a church or small business. Community service clubs may wish to participate and or partner in this type of program to improve SCA survival in the local community.