Question of the Day - 05 April 2024

An AED is an "automated external defibrillator." It's a sophisticated yet fairly easy-to-use medical device that helps those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. 

And yes, though the presence of defibrillators varies depending on the regulations and policies of the specific establishment and jurisdiction, many casinos, especially larger ones, have AEDs on hand as part of their emergency-preparedness protocols.

According to spokesperson David Strow, Boyd Gaming was the first casino company to begin deploying defibrillators at its properties as far back as the late 1990s.

Typically, staff members designated as part of the emergency-response team and specifically trained in first aid and CPR are also trained to operate AEDs. These staff are generally security officers, but might include medical personnel or designated safety officers.

Furthermore, some jurisdictions may have specific regulations or requirements regarding AED training for certain staff members in public establishments like casinos. Overall, the goal is to ensure that trained individuals are on hand to respond quickly and effectively to medical emergencies, including instances where a defibrillator may be needed.

“If a customer needs medical assistance," Strow told us, "our security officers provide first aid or attempt resuscitation if necessary. Paramedics will be called if needed or if the customer requests it. We defer to paramedics to provide medical assistance beyond first aid or resuscitation and we always offer to call paramedics whenever a customer asks for medical assistance.”

We were unable to get anyone to talk on the record about events and outcomes. It's an old old tradition in Las Vegas that medical emergencies and deaths are downplayed to the extent that they never happen, even though we know they do with some frequency. The local media tend not to cover them as well.

We've seen security responses, ambulances, and gurneys in casinos many times and medical events are anything but uncommon, considering all the people, alcohol, emotion, and general overindulgence that take place in and around casinos at all hours of the day and night, every day of the year. Heck, stories are plentiful about these emergencies being downplayed while they're occurring.

Which is why we're not especially sanguine about the availability and deployment of AEDs in casinos. Even if they have them and some employees are trained in their use, there are plenty of reasons -- levels of staffing, lack of confidence, legal concerns, bad publicity -- that they might not show up in a hurry. Perhaps most of all, a medical emergency might not be immediately recognized as requiring defibrillation, such as in cases of choking, seizure, or overdose.

To us, the bottom line is, AEDs on hand or not, try not to have a medical emergency in a casino.