An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. The shock can potentially stop an irregular heart beat (arrhythmia) and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly. If not treated within minutes, it quickly leads to death. Most SCAs result from ventricular fibrillation (VF). VF is a rapid and unsynchronized heart rhythm that originates in the heart’s lower chambers (the ventricles). The heart must be “defibrillated” quickly, because a victim’s chance of surviving drops by seven to 10 percent for every minute a normal heartbeat isn’t restored
AEDs make it possible for more people to respond to a medical emergency where defibrillation is required. Because AEDs are portable, they can be used by non-medical people (lay-rescuers). They can be made part of emergency response programs that also include rapid use of 9-1-1 and prompt delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). All three of these activities are vital to improving survival from SCA.
A built-in computer checks a victim’s heart rhythm through adhesive electrodes. The computer calculates whether defibrillation is needed. If it is, a recorded voice prompts the rescuer to press the shock button on the AED. This shock momentarily stuns the heart and stops all activity. It gives the heart the chance to resume beating effectively. Audible prompts guide the user through the process. AEDs advise a shock only for ventricular fibrillation or another life-threatening condition called pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
All first-response vehicles, including ambulances, law enforcement vehicles and many fire engines should have an AED. AEDs also should be placed in public areas such as sports venues, shopping malls, airports, airplanes, businesses, convention centers, hotels, schools and doctors’ offices. They should also be in any other public or private place where large numbers of people gather or where people at high risk for heart attacks live. They should be placed near elevators, cafeterias, main reception areas, and on walls in main corridors.
Contact Emergency Training Partners at Support@EmergencyTrainingPartners.com or 888-407-8770 to discuss your interest. Our experts will work with you through the process and can often get you an AED below the online advertised price.
Ideally use an AED within 3 minutes of the person going unresponsive and not breathing to have the greatest chance of survival.
Permanent, irreversible brain damage begins when there is no oxygen.
Is the AVERAGE national response time by an ambulance. It is much longer in many cases.
Number of people who die EVERY YEAR in the United States from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Every minute that goes by without an AED, the chances of survival DECREASE by 10%.
All AEDs utilize electrode pads, have voice prompts, analyze a patient's heart rhythm, and they all have the capacity to deliver a shock. All AEDs have the potential to save a life regardless of manufacturer, make, or model.
All AEDs provide the same fundamental goal but some models may have 1, 2, or 3 buttons to turn the device on, analyze, or deliver a shock. Some have unique sets of pads and some are fully automatic that don't require the rescuer to press any buttons.
Some AEDs offer CPR assistance such as a metronome, some count your compressions, and some provide feedback such as push faster or deeper to monitor the quality of CPR being provided.
Cardiac Science, Defibtech, Heartsine, Philips, Stryker, and Zoll
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