Essex Business Saving Lives One AED at a Time

Mike Marsiglia knew he wanted to go into business for himself 10 years ago after he retired from a 25-year career as a paramedic with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.

The Essex man always enjoyed teaching, especially CPR classes. So, in September 2003, he decided to launch Chesapeake Training Services out of his home.

When paramedics, nurses and others interested in learning CPR and first aid quickly signed up for his classes, Marsiglia believed he was on to something special.

Eventually, he partnered with medical supply companies Physio Control and LifeLinkMD and began to offer training to various U.S. government agencies, which allowed him to expand his clientle into northern Virginia, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware.

“I had a plan to build a company where within five years I would be managing it and letting others do the instruction,” Marsiglia said.

Over time, Marsiglia eventually hired two full-time and six part-time instructors, most of whom are current or former paramedics. But Marsiglia knew that for his company to continue to grow, he needed to offer more than just CPR classes.

So he expanded into offering Automated External Defibrillators, or AEDs. He said with the cost of an average unit ranging from $1,500 to $2,000, it's a small price to pay in order to save someone's life.

“CPR is great, but for someone to have the best possible outcome, there needs to be an AED nearby,” Marsiglia said.

Marsiglia said that studies show that if an AED is applied within two minutes of a collapse, there is a 90 percent chance of survival and a 74 percent chance of survival if applied after three minutes.

He added that the average chance of surviving a cardiac arrest without help is just 5 percent.

"Waiting for paramedics to arrive is just not enough in many cases," Marsiglia said. "It takes anywhere from 6-12 minutes for EMS to arrive and the heart and brain die when left without oxygen in just four to six minutes."

Marsiglia said his business, now called , continues to grow, which allowed him to move into his current location on Back River Neck Road in 2010.

Along with teaching CPR classes, Marsiglia said he also offers certification courses in using an AED, with corporate businesses, schools, and restaurants among those seeking his service. He added that he is even expanding to include online sales and training courses.

"It used to be that businesses would inquire about an AED after they had someone die where they work," Marsiglia said. "Now, people want to be more proactive."