Download When the Heart Stops

WHEN THE HEART STOPS
AEDs
WHEN THE HEART STOPS
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Any damage to the heart muscle from disease or
injury can disrupt the heart’s electrical system.
The 2 most common treatable abnormal rhythms
associated with cardiac arrest are ventricular
fibrillation (V-fib) and ventricular tachycardia (Vtach).
V-fib: The ventricles quiver without any
organized rhythm, the electrical impulses fire at
random, creating chaos, and the heart is unable
to pump circulatory blood.
V-tach: When an abnormal electrical impulse
originates in the ventricles instead of at the
sinoatrial (SA) node. The impulses fire rapidly,
preventing the chambers from filling, and the
heart can’t pump effectively.
WHEN THE HEART STOPS
AEDs are portable electronic devices that analyze
the heart’s rhythm and provide an electrical
shock.
 Defibrillation is the delivery of an electrical shock
that may help re-establish an effective rhythm.
 Each minute that CPR and defibrillation are
delayed, the victim’s chance for survival is
reduced by about 10%.
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WHEN THE HEART STOPS
When cardiac arrest occurs use an AED
(Automated External Defibrillator) ASAP.
 If the AED states a shock is needed, follow
protocols to provide 1 shock and continue with 2
minutes of CPR. The AED will indicate when the
2 minutes have passed.
 If CPR is in progress, do not interrupt chest
compressions until the AED is plugged on,
plugged in, attached to chest and ready to
analyze.
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USING AN AED
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Video – Using an AED (2:30)
Pad Placement: Pads should be placed as shown
on the pad. One pad goes on the upper right
portion of the chest. The other pad goes on the
bottom left portion of the chest.
Once pads are attached turn the machine on to
analyze the heart rhythm. Follow all
instructions the AED gives.
WHEN THE HEART STOPS
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AEDs may be equipped with pediatric AED pads;
however, pediatric pads are appropriate only for
use on infants and children up to 8 years old or
weighing 55 lbs. or less.
If pediatric pads aren’t available, you can use pads
designed for adults.
 If the pads risk touching each other, use the front
and back method of placement.
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AEDS WHEN CPR IS IN PROGRESS
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When one rescuer is on the scene, that rescuer begins
CPR and instructs someone to summons EMS and get
an AED.
When the second rescuer arrives, that rescuer gets
the AED ready while the first rescuer continues CPR.
If at any time either rescuer notices a sign of life,
such as breathing, she should stop CPR and monitor
the victims condition and administer emergency
oxygen if trained to do so.
Video: Using and AED when CPR is in Progress (2:00)
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN
USING AN AED
The victim’s chest area must be dry.
 Do not use alcohol wipes to dry the chest.
 Do not use adult pads on an infant or child unless
pediatric pads are not available.
 Do not use pediatric pads on an adult.
 Do not touch the victim while analyzing.
 Make sure no one is touching the victim when the
shock is delivered.
 Make sure resuscitation masks are not resting on
the victim.
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GENERAL PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN
USING AN AED
Do not administer a shock near flammable or
combustible materials.
 Do not use an AED in a moving vehicle.
 Do not use an AED on a victim that is in contact
with water.
 Do not use an AED on someone wearing a
nitroglycerine patch.
 Do not use a mobile phone or radio within 6 feet
of an AED.
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