Automated External Defibrillators

A step by step training guide for the use of AED's in cardiac arrest. 

Heart attach is a very common cause of death. A severe heart attack often results in cardiac arrest. In this case, the heart usually beats very erratically and cannot generate circulation of blood to the body. If a normal heartbeat is not restored within a few minutes the victim will die. 

Automated external defibrillators (AED's) are designed to diagnose cardiac arrest and, when appropriate, to deliver an electric shock to try to restore a normal heart rhythm.  

They can be used safely by people with minimal training. 

For a long time, defibrillators were only found in hospitals. However, eventually they began to be included on some ambulances in certain places to be taken to victims of out-of hospital cardiac arrest.  

Advances in technology enabled defibrillators to become smaller and much easier to operate and they are now standard issue to ambulances in most developed countries. 

AEDs are computerized devices that incorporate a program that is designed to detect and analyze a person’s hart rhythm.  It will then instruct the operator to deliver electric shocks to the heart, if appropriate. If a potentially lethal heart rhythm such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia is detected the rescuer is advised to press the SHOCK button. However, this must only be done if the victim is unresponsive and without signs of circulation. 

AEDs are becoming far more commonly available and lay first aid provider’s are now encouraged to learn how to operate them. 

The current generation of devices is generally compact, reliable and simple to operate.  They are designed so that they can be used safely and effectively by lay rescuers with minimal training.