Download INCREASING THE SURVIVAL CHANCE:

INCREASING THE SURVIVAL CHANCE:
THE AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)
WHAT IS AN AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR?
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable automatic device used to restore
normal heart rhythm to patients in cardiac arrest.
An AED is applied outside the body. It automatically analyzes the patient’s heart rhythm
and advises the rescuer whether or not a shock is needed to restore a normal heart beat. If
the patient’s heart resumes beating normally, the heart has been defibrillated.
An AED is used to treat cardiac arrest. It is a life-saving device because cardiac arrest is a
sudden condition that is fatal if not treated within a few minutes. Heart attacks and
other conditions can cause ventricular fibrillation. In ventricular fibrillation, the electrical
signals in the lower part of the heart are uncoordinated and ineffective. Very little blood
is pumped from the heart to the body or the lungs. If ventricular fibrillation is not treated,
it will result in Cardiac Arrest.
AEDs are smart devices and will not allow you to shock a person whose heart does not
need to be shocked.
Prompt use of an AED increases survival chances.
AED FACTS
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If defibrillated within the first minute of sudden cardiac arrest, survival chances
are close to 90%.
For every minute of delay in defibrillation, survival chances decrease by 10%.
If an AED is delayed by more than 10 minutes, survival is less than 5%.
An AED should be reachable within 90 seconds. Maximum time for first shock is
within 6 minutes.
It is estimated that as many as 40,000 lives could be saved annually with broad
public access to defibrillators
AEDs speak to you, instruct you in how to use the device and perform CPR.
AEDs speak
AED Manufacturers List and Websites:
There are many different AED manufacturers and their prices vary. Following are links
to their websites
Manufacturer
Website
AED Name
Cardiac Science
www.cardiacscience.com
www.;powerheart.com
Powerheart AED G3
Phillips
www.phillips.com/heartstart
HeartStart FRx
Zoll
www.zoll.com
AED Plus
Heartsine
www.heartsine.com
HeartSine Samaritan
Defibtech
www.defibtech.com
Lifeline
Zoll
www.zoll.com
AED Plus