If it can happen to Bob Harper–it can happen to anyone. Exactly one year ago, while working out at a box in NY, Bob suffered a “widow maker.” This type of heart attack earned its nickname from the frightening survival rate. A bleak 6%.

Thankfully for Bob, he had a long history of eating well, a strong commitment to physical fitness and a box that owned a life-saving AED. Watch his moving story and please consider purchasing an AED if you don’t already have one.  

Check out his critical statement at about 5:15. “I will never ever walk into a gym, again, that doesn’t have people that know their CPR and an AED somewhere in that gym.”

Bob is right, from both a life-saving and a liability perspective. If someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest in your box and you do not have an AED, you could be liable, even with a signed waiver.

The following states require AEDs by law: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Rhode Island.

If you are operating in these states, it’s not a matter of when, but a matter of NOW. You will face a wrongful death lawsuit if one of your members or coaches goes into sudden cardiac arrest and does not survive. Good Samaritan Laws in all 50 states protect you against liability when specific state requirements are met.

AEDs are simple and easy to use. You do not need to be a medical professional to operate one. AEDs are designed to only shock when it identifies specific heart rhythms through sophisticated analysis. You cannot accidentally shock someone.

It is my goal to ensure that every box in the Affiliate Guard family has an AED. We have partnered with AEDsuperstore.com, a reputable, customer-service oriented supplier to provide two AED models at a great price. Read more here.

Make sure the athletes in your gym are never ever the biggest loser on your watch. Protect them–and yourself–with an AED!