Press Room

ACE Stands Behind Passage of Automated External Defibrilator (AED) Bill
Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation Requiring Gyms Have AED On-site

Posted: Oct 13, 2005 in

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Oct. 13, 2005 – Recently, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law bill AB 1507 requiring every health club in California to have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The bill also requires all club staff be properly trained in their use. The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America’s nonprofit fitness authority, supports this legislation and its ability to increase survival from cardiovascular emergencies, cardiac arrest and stroke in a fitness setting.

“ACE supports this bill because it increases public access to life-saving AED devices. When an AED is readily available, individuals can use it within the first few minutes of an event to significantly improve a victim’s chances of survival,” said Dr. Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for ACE. “ACE is committed to doing its part to enhance consumer safety in the fitness environment by providing first aid, CPR and AED training to health and fitness professionals and by requiring our certified professionals hold a current CPR certificate to maintain their certifications.”

The bill, authored by Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, provides “Good Samaritan” protection for gym employees who use an AED in an emergency situation. They will not be liable for civil damages from such use except in cases of gross negligence or reckless misconduct.

Through a partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA), ACE offers a First Aid, CPR and AED course (AHA Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED) to fitness professionals and the general public interested in learning these lifesaving techniques.

ACE offers the AHA Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED course throughout the year in various cities across the United States. To register for a course or for more information visit www.acefitness.org.

About ACE
The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America’s Authority on Fitness, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting consumers against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction. As the nation’s “workout watchdog,” ACE sponsors university-based exercise science research and testing that targets fitness products and trends. ACE sets standards for fitness professionals and is the world’s largest nonprofit fitness certifying organization. For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636 or log onto the ACE Web site at www.acefitness.org.