Cardiac Arrest strikes people of all ages
and fitness levels, usually without warning. Many of these lives could
be saved if bystanders act promptly to phone 911 and begin CPR, and if
trained responders provide defibrillation within minutes.
The AED is more than a defibrillator.
Manufactures have developed a full resuscitation device which not only
delivers a shock to a patient when necessary but it also reinforces your
CPR training by voice and visual prompts going through all of the steps
to CPR.
Providing Lifesaving Defibrillation
An automated external defibrillator (AED)
is a portable device that analyzes the heart's rhythm and, if necessary,
allows a rescuer to deliver an electric shock to a victim of sudden
cardiac arrest. This shock, called defibrillation, may halt the rapid
and chaotic heart activity of sudden cardiac arrest, and help the heart
to reestablish an effective rhythm of its own.
Portable and Automated
About the size of a laptop computer, an
AED typically consist of a main unit that provides controls and
instructions, and detachable electrodes that the rescuer puts on the
victim's body. The latest AEDs are remarkably simple to use. They
automatically detect what treatment is appropriate for the victim, and
give rescuers instructions for administering treatment (usually via
audio prompts).
The Potential for AEDs
Because sudden cardiac arrest is most effectively treated within
the first few seconds or minutes of a sudden collapse, AEDs have the
potential to save thousands of lives that could be lost if treatment is
delayed until ambulances travel to the scene of a cardiac arrest. The
American Heart Association's Early Defibrillation movement aims to put
AEDs in the hands of all emergency responders and in public places like
airports, shopping malls, health clubs, and office buildings. As a
result, the potential market for AEDs is very large.
Early
Defibrillation Saves Lives
Sudden cardiac arrest strikes up to 350,000 Americans each year. Most
commonly, the victim is suffering from a disorder called ventricular
fibrillation (VF)-a chaotic rhythm in the main pumping chamber of the
heart. In this case, the victim needs defibrillation-an electric shock
to correct the heart's rhythm. (In other cases, the victim may need only
CPR.)
The earlier defibrillation is administered, the better. With
every passing minute after sudden cardiac arrest occurs, the odds of the
victim's survival decrease by 7-10%. The American Heart Association
(AHA) estimates that early defibrillation could raise survival rates 30
percent or more.
Making Early Defibrillation More Accessible
Making it possible for laypersons or
first responders on the scene to rapidly administer defibrillation could
save thousands of lives every year. The public access defibrillation
(PAD) movement, supported by the AHA, would put automated external
defibrillators (AEDs) in all emergency vehicles
and
public places, where first responders or trained laypersons (security
guards, flight attendants, office managers, etc.) could use them to
quickly treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest. According to the AHA,
"PAD...has the potential to be the single greatest advance in the
treatment of VF cardiac arrest since the invention of CPR." The latest
models of AEDs are remarkably simple to use, automatically detecting
which treatment the victim needs, and telling the rescuer exactly what
to do.
AEDs in the Workplace
The implementation of early defibrillation programs in
the workplace would put automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in
locations where trained responders could use them to quickly treat
victims of sudden cardiac arrest.
To Learn More....
AEDs in Schools
Cardiac Arrest strikes people of all ages and fitness levels, usually
without warning. Many of these lives could be saved if bystanders act
promptly to phone 911 and begin CPR, and if trained responders provide
defibrillation within minutes. If you are interested in learning more
about AEDs in school and current legislation
click here....
