Why Every RV and Trailer Should have an AED: The Benefits of Traveling with a Defibrillator

Camping is a fun activity, and one that often comes with quite a bit of preparation: Sleeping bags, pillows, food, drinks, camping stove, firewood, camping chairs… the list goes on! But what about safety supplies? Do you have a first aid kit and AED packed? Having an AED in your trailer or RV is highly recommended and there are tremendous benefits to carrying one with you when you travel. Ensure that you are truly ready for anything, because anyone is at risk of cardiac arrest, and it can happen at any time – even when you’re hours from help. We recommend every single RV be prepared for a cardiac emergency. In fact, we are working with some RV rental companies across Canada to equip their RVs and trailers with these lifesaving devices.

Reasons Why Every RV Should have an AED

Packing an AED in your camper, RV, or trailer may seem extreme, but what is more extreme is losing a loved one because the ambulance didn’t get to your ‘otherwise healthy’ family member or friend in time. Emergency response times are extremely high the farther you get from urban centers. At least in the city we are fortunate that Alberta Health Services, for example, provides 24-hr emergency rescue services and 90% of emergency calls are responded to within 13 minutes. However, someone experiencing cardiac arrest will sustain brain damage within 4 minutes, and suffer irreversible brain damage within 8 minutes without immediate life-saving rescue. Here are some reasons why every RV should have an AED: 

• According to the Government of Canada (2016) and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System, about 1 in 12 adults aged 20 and over live with heart disease. 
  • This statistic is important because the people you travel with may be living with undiagnosed heart disease. And if they are diagnosed, having an AED with you is absolutely necessary.  
• Strenuous physical activity while camping, such as hiking and running, can trigger cardiac arrests. 

For more information about Cardiac Arrest and reasons why you need to carry one when you set off on a road trip, see our RV Guide: RV GUIDE

Benefits of Traveling with an AED 

AEDs strengthen the Chain of Survival. It is simple, AEDs double the chance of survival for someone experiencing cardiac arrest. Without an AED, the chances of survival diminish exponentially with only 10% of Canadians surviving cardiac arrest if it occurs outside of a hospital (with camping being an extreme departure from the hospital). 

Recommended AEDs for Camping

A Philips HeartStart In-Home AED and carrying case is recommended for your RV. It is compact, easy to use, and it is compatible with Pediatric Electrode Pads for any children accompanying you on your adventure. 

 A Philips FRX AED is recommended for back-country camping or rugged camping. This AED is more durable 

AEDs are essential for any RV or camping trip and they are small enough to store in an RV or Trailer safely and securely. 

Need more tips on what to pack on an adventure? Check out our ultimate packing checklist!