Automated External Defibrillator (AED) – The Heart Rescuer

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An AED, or Automated External Defibrillator, is a device used to diagnose cardiac arrhythmia in a person and treat them with defibrillation, or a life-save shock. This, ideally, returns the heart and cardiovascular system to a more optimum state. When a person suffers from cardiac arrest, their heart is no longer functioning normally. The heart experiences uncoordinated electrical activity which causes it to beat irregularly. This can lead to a variety of problems, such as a permanent state of cardiac arrest, brain damage due to lack of oxygenated blood, and, finally, death. For each minute that they go without treatment, their chances of survival drop 7-10%. (1) That can be a 50% drop in survival chances after only 5 minutes. With an AED, the user attaches adhesive electrodes to the victim’s chest. This allows the device to monitor the victim's heart rate and determine if a shock is required. It then notifies the user and, if necessary, the user administers the shock through the device. The electricity travels through the victim's chest wall to their heart, and, if successfully, optimal heart rhythm is restored. Today, many AEDs are portable and can be placed in public areas so that people can respond quickly to cardiac emergencies. They are designed to be user-friendly and can be operated by any trained non-medical professional, or, if the situation demands it, by someone only passingly familiar with the technology. AED training in Westminster is important when setting up the device, however, the current generation of devices are designed to be as accurate and user friendly as possible. Technology allows them to be read cardiac arrhythmia around 90% of the time, and correctly recommend electrical shock 99% percent of the time. This is higher then the statistics for emergency medical professionals not using AEDs. (2) AEDs, like any life-saving technology, are not 100% effective. However, combined with other techniques such as CPR, AED use increases the likelihood of survival greatly. Combined with the fact that the units are decreasing in cost every year, they are becoming a safety necessity for the workplace, public areas, and more. AED training in Maryland - check out Critical Response Management for all of your first aid and medical training.