AEDs In Public Spaces with DiPietro and Associates

Disaster Podcast

David DiPietro was a former Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and eventually an instructor for community operations and personnel. He later founded DiPietro and Associates, a medical equipment business, including the distribution of AEDs. Kelsey Treat, David’s daughter, now runs the company’s sales and operations while Dave focuses on new business opportunities.

Our episode was hosted by Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

Scroll down for Podcast Discussion Summary

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Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well.

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Podcast Discussion Summary

Weather Conditions and Flood Preparedness

In the meeting, Jamie and Sam discussed the weather conditions in their respective locations. Jamie shared that there was a flash flood watch in Maryland, with significant rainfall causing flooding and water rescues.

Sam mentioned that Colorado was experiencing heavy rain and wind. The team also discussed the importance of general preparedness and being aware of potential flooding in their regions.

Medical Equipment Business and Training Services

Dave and Kelsey from Dipietro and Associates discussed their medical equipment business and training services. Dave, a former helicopter rescue swimmer in the Coast Guard, shared his background in expanding medical capabilities with defibrillators and becoming one of the first distributors in the country.

Kelsey, who has been involved with the company since she was a teenager, is now the sales and operations manager. They expressed interest in opportunities and removing obstacles, with Kelsey taking the reins of the company’s operations.

AEDs and Lay Responder Programs

Kelsey discussed the importance of lay responders in the chain of survival and her efforts to create a program for clients. Sam and Dave shared their thoughts on the ease of use of AEDs, with Dave noting that the modern defibrillator started around 2000.

Kelsey agreed that children should learn how to use AEDs, especially if they have family members with heart issues. Jamie shared his family’s experience with community activities and the ease of operating an AED. Dave emphasized the simplicity of using an AED, suggesting that it’s easier to operate than performing CPR.

FDA Compliance for Medical Devices

Dave and Sam discussed the company’s market, which includes various sectors such as schools, police departments, and manufacturing, excluding hospitals and EMS. Dave clarified that their products are FDA Class 3 medical devices, not consumer products, and thus require compliance with specific regulatory issues. Kelsey added that these issues include a data management system for tracking the AED’s location, maintenance, and any FDA recalls or corrective actions.

AED Maintenance and Data Management

Dave, Kelsey, and Sam discussed the importance of maintaining Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in various settings. Kelsey highlighted their proprietary data management system, which includes developing written policies and procedures for AED deployment, conducting Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Improvement (QI) checks, and registering AEDs with local Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

They also emphasized the need for regular inspections and maintenance of AEDs to ensure their readiness in emergency situations. Dave mentioned the new Wi-Fi connected AED, the AED 3, which can perform self-inspections and provide notifications for battery and pad replacements, as well as deployment.

AEDs, CPR, and Trauma Kits

Kelsey discussed the removal of a requirement for organizations with publicly available AEDs to have CPR and AED certified employees. Dave explained that the General Duty Act requires appropriate care for sick or injured individuals in the workplace, which often means having a group of people trained in CPR and first aid. Jamie shared their church’s experience with AEDs and CPR training.

Dave emphasized the importance of a robust management program for defibrillators to prevent high failure rates. Kelsey introduced a hot topic regarding the introduction of trauma kits, which include tourniquets, pressure bandages, and packing gauze, in buildings constructed or renovated after 2021. A bill has also been proposed to require a trauma kit in every classroom of California public schools.

Lay Responders’ Standard of Care

Dave and Jamie discussed the increasing standard of care for lay responders and the general public in the public safety industry. They noted that the standard of care is pushing down to lay responders, with more technical applications of equipment and devices. This trend is driven by legislative efforts and the need for organizations to be prepared to respond to mass casualty incidents.

Dave highlighted the psychological and emotional strain on lay responders, while Jamie emphasized the importance of communities being aware of and maintaining defibrillators in their facilities. Jamie also mentioned the success of defibrillators in saving lives, particularly in schools.

Improving Mass Casualty Event Support

Dave, Jamie, and Sam discussed the importance of preparedness and the use of available equipment to save lives. They also touched on the need for better support for late responders and secondary victims in mass casualty events.

Sam expressed interest in working with Dave on improving post-event support and incident stress debriefing. The team also thanked their sponsor, Paragon Medical Education Group, and agreed to send a link to the episode for further use.

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