Everything You Need to Know About the PAD Program & How to Register Your AED
Is your AED registered with your provincial health services? If not, you could be missing out on some great benefits.
Most provinces in Canada offer a public access to defibrillation, or PAD Program, that allows you to register your AED. This simple step ensures your device stays in good working order, and you become part of a community-wide network that helps save lives during emergencies.
Here are 10 reasons more AEDs NEED to be in public spaces.
What is the PAD Program?
The PAD Program is a provincial AED registry and database aimed at making AEDs available in public places. It’s completely free to register and encourages community safety through accessible sudden cardiac arrest intervention. Each province has its own approach, but the goal is the same—to save lives by providing easy access to AEDs in schools, gyms, workplaces, and other public spaces.
The statistics speak for themselves—survival rates for cardiac arrest can increase by 75% or more when an AED is used within the first few minutes.
Does the PAD Program Offer Any Benefits to the Registrant?
Yes! Several actually.
As mentioned, each province is responsible for their own PAD Program, but here are some general advantages of registering your AED with the PAD Program:
Maintenance Reminders
AEDs need regular checks to make sure they’re functioning properly. By registering, you’ll receive automatic reminders for routine maintenance to ensure your AED is always in working order.
Reimbursement for Used Pads
If your AED is ever used in an emergency, you may be eligible for reimbursement for the defibrillator pads. This keeps your AED ready for the next potential lifesaving event—without extra out-of-pocket costs.
Shared AED Locations
When you register your AED, its location can be shared with local 911 dispatchers. In the event of an emergency, first responders can direct callers to the nearest AED to save valuable time during a cardiac event.
Here are the BEST AED locations for quick and easy access.
Community AED Network
By registering for the PAD Program, your AED becomes part of your local PAD network, which means it can be listed as a publicly accessible defibrillator. This could make a life-saving difference if someone nearby has a cardiac emergency and needs to locate the nearest AED.
How to Register Your AED with the PAD Program by Province
Registering your AED through the PAD Program is a simple process, and each province has its own system to help make it easy.
Below are the links and steps for registering your AED in different Canadian provinces:
Alberta
Visit the Heart Safe Alberta website. Simply click to register and fill in your details to create an account.
British Columbia
Head over to the BC PAD Program page to learn about the province’s PAD registry and how to register.
Saskatchewan
You can register your AED with the Saskatchewan Health Authority by completing their online PAD Program Registration Form.
Manitoba
AED owners in Manitoba can sign up with Shared Health Manitoba. Simply download and complete their AED Registration Form.
Ontario
Each municipality in Ontario handles AED registration individually:
- Ottawa
- Simcoe county
- Peel Region
- London
- Oxford county
- Toronto
- Greater Sudbury
- Guelph
- Hamilton
- Niagara
- Thunder Bay
Make sure to check your local municipal website for AED registration instructions.
Quebec
In Quebec, you can register your AED through the Jacques de Champlain Foundation. Visit the website and follow the instructions.
Learn whether or not you can get an AED in French in Canada.
New Brunswick
Learn how you can get involved with New Brunswick’s AED Program by visiting Medavie Health Services New Brunswick.
PEI
Register your AED directly through the National AED Registry to keep your device in top shape and part of the PEI’s emergency response system.
Nova Scotia
Visit the Save Lives NS website to register your AED and access important information about the program.
Newfoundland and Labrador & Territories
While these regions don’t currently have an AED registry, there are ongoing discussions about developing a formal system. Stay tuned to local health authorities for updates.
No matter where you’re located, registering your AED is a quick and important step that ensures both the safety of your community and the functionality of your device.
Learn how YOU can get AEDs installed in your city!
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time. The PAD Program ensures that AEDs are available and easy to find during an emergency.
The PAD Program aims to make public AED commonplace to reduce fatalities caused by sudden cardiac events. By registering your AED and participating in the program, you’re becoming an integral part of your community’s safety network.
Questions about the PAD Program or AEDs in general? Contact us anytime!
