If you own a golf club or golf course, it’s essential to equip your property with an up-to-date automated external defibrillator (AED) so that you can respond in the event of a cardiac emergency. But choosing the best AED for a golf course requires a basic understanding of the features that matter most in these types of facilities.
Why You Need an AED for Your Golf Course
Sporting facilities have a duty of care over visitors while they are on the premises and must take precautions to ensure their safety. This includes things like keeping the grounds free from hazardous objects, putting up signage near golf cart crossings, and keeping a first aid kit in an accessible place for timely response to injuries and illness.
AEDs in Fitness Facilities Are Often Required by Law
As of 2012, 11 jurisdictions in the United States required fitness facilities to carry an automated external defibrillator[mfn]ncbi.nlm.nih.gov[/mfn] as part of their first-response equipment, and states like Connecticut specifically mandate public golf courses to “acquire and maintain AEDs.”
This type of legislation is enacted in the hopes of reducing deaths from cardiac arrest, which has a survival rate of only 10.4%[mfn]sca-aware.org[/mfn]. The timely use of an AED makes survival two to three times more likely, potentially saving thousands of lives[mfn]cpr.heart.org[/mfn] each year.
The Golfing Population Is Especially at Risk
Ensuring the best AED for your golf course is especially important seeing that the average age of golfers in the U.S.[mfn]riversedgegolfbend.com[/mfn] is 54 — uncomfortably close to the average age for cardiac arrest, which is 60. Furthermore, 18.8% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in a public setting. The risk of this happening at your golf course is real.
By keeping an AED onsite, performing routine maintenance, and training your staff, you are taking the best available measure to keep your members safe and complying with state requirements (where applicable). That peace of mind is worth far more than the price you’ll pay for the device itself.
The HeartSine 350P Is the Best AED for a Golf Course
The best AED for a golf course is one that can be safely transported across the grounds without suffering from damage on the way. When we’re talking about a potential 150 to 200 acres of hills, lakes, mud, and sand, there’s a lot that can go wrong between the clubhouse and the destination.
The model that we would recommend most for a golf course is the HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P. This semi-automatic external defibrillator is one of the most durable and intuitive AEDs available, boasting the following industry-leading features:
- MIL-STD 810F Method 516.5, Procedure I (40 G’s) shock resistance — making this model ideal for transporting quickly in golfing carts
- IP56 Ingress Protection rating — the highest industry standard of resistance against dust and moisture damage from all weather conditions outdoors
- Easy two-button functionality — perfect for use by laypeople and club staff
If you’re seeking even more user-friendly features, we recommend the HeartSine Samaritan PAD 450P. This model features real-time feedback on your CPR compression rate in addition to the ruggedness and ease of use of the 350P. This is an especially valuable feature if you’re not 100% confident about your CPR technique — or that of your staff.
Ensure Full Peace of Mind With an AED for Your Golf Club
Golf clubs have a duty of care over their members and others who might happen to enter the premises, and having an AED on-site ensures that you’re doing all you can to keep your members safe.
Invest in full peace of mind by choosing the best AED for a golf course — one that’s rugged, weatherproof, shock-proof, and easy to use. When the moment comes, you’ll be glad you were prepared.
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