Tennis clubs host players of all ages and fitness levels, and the rigorous activity can place tremendous stress on the heart. For this and other reasons, every tennis facility should have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on site. We’ve created this guide to highlight the most important AED features and to present our recommendation for the best AED for a tennis club.
Why Every Tennis Club Needs an AED
In 2012, 11 jurisdictions in the United States required fitness facilities to carry an AED[mfn]ncbi.nlm.nih.gov[/mfn], and this number continues to grow as new laws are enacted These rules are based on simple statistics: Almost half a million Americans die from cardiac arrest each year, but the quick use of an AED can double or even triple a sufferer’s chance of survival.
Strenuous physical activity has been associated with an elevated short-term risk of cardiac arrest. It has been estimated that around 1 in 20 sudden cardiac arrests is related to aerobic activity[mfn]health.harvard.edu[/mfn] — particularly in people who are mostly sedentary and not used to heavy exercise.
The age of tennis players is another factor in the level of risk. According to a 2018 survey, 75% of tennis players in the United States are over 30[mfn]statista.com[/mfn] and 25% are over 50 years old. With the average age for a cardiac arrest hovering around 60, there’s a good chance that your members could be affected.
How to Choose an AED for a Tennis Club
The best AED for a tennis club must be suited to the age range of its members and durable enough to withstand the conditions on the court. When selecting an AED for your club, keep the following factors in mind.
Weather Resistance
Tennis is a game that’s played outside, and you never know what the weather might be like on the day that you need to rush to someone’s aid on the court. Be sure to choose an AED that’s resistant to moisture, dirt, and hot and cold temperatures so its effectiveness won’t be compromised outdoors.
Shock Protection
Despite our best intentions, an AED could be dropped in the process of rushing it out to a patient on the court. Look for an AED that has been tested under military conditions and shown to be shock and vibration resistant.
Ease of Use
According to a survey commissioned by Cintas Corporation, only 37% of American adults are confident that they would know how to use an AED[mfn]businesswire.com[/mfn] in an emergency. In the situation that no emergency responders are on hand, you’ll need an AED that talks you through the process and provides clear diagrams showing what to do.
Child-Friendliness
Most tennis clubs cater to children as well as professional and recreational adult players. If your tennis club ever has children present, you will need an AED with a pediatric setting or compatible child-sized pads to ensure the most appropriate shock delivery.
The HeartSine 350P — The Best AED for a Tennis Club
Because of its hard-to-beat ruggedness, we recommend the HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P for use in tennis clubs and other similar sporting facilities. This lightweight, intuitive AED offers the following essential features:
- MIL-STD 810F (military-grade) shock resistance
- IP56 certification for water resistance
- +32°F to +122°F operating temperature
- 5% to 95% relative humidity tolerance
- Child-friendly functions (child pads sold separately)
For even more intuitive features, you might also consider the HeartSine Samaritan PAD 450P. It functions just like the 350P but with the upgraded feature of real-time CPR rate feedback. Both of these models come with a 10-year warranty.
Don’t Take Chances — Equip Your Tennis Club with an AED
As you’ve seen, cardiac arrest is a common and usually fatal event. Having the best AED for a tennis club on-site could save a player or visitor’s life.
To ensure your AED works as expected, choose one that’s weather-, water-, and shock-resistant, and have a pair of child pads on hand. In the event of a cardiac arrest, you’ll be confident that you offered the best response possible and might even save a patient’s life.
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