Download Extent of the Problem - Miami

Heartsaver AED
for the Lay Rescuer and
First Responder
©American Heart Association
Extent of the Problem
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1.1 million heart attacks
480,000 deaths due to
coronary heart disease
250,000 prehospital
cardiac arrests
Recognize Emergency
and Call 911

Airway obstruction
– Universal distress signal, blue skin

Respiratory arrest
– Not breathing but has pulse

Cardiac arrest
– Not breathing and no pulse
Activate EMS
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Know your local EMS number
Give the location of call
Telephone number
The nature of the emergency
Advise that AED is on the scene
Don’t hang up until dispatcher
advises
Signs of Cardiac Arrest
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Unresponsive
Not breathing
No pulse
AEDs and
Ventricular Fibrillation
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VF is the most frequent initial rhythm in sudden
cardiac arrest
VF is a useless quivering of the heart that results
in no blood flow
Defibrillation is the only
effective treatment for VF
Successful electrical
defibrillation diminishes
rapidly over time
Time and AEDs
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Approximately 50% survival after 5 minutes
Survival reduced by 7% to 10% each minute
Rapid defibrillation
100
is key
80
CPR helps extend
60
survival time
40
Survival
20
0
1
3
6
10
minutes
Priorities and the AED
C
A
B
D
-
Circulation
Airway
Breathing
Defibrillation
AEDs and Personnel

One rescuer
– Unresponsiveness –
Call 911 – Get the AED
– Assess Breathing/Pulse
– Attach AED
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Two rescuers
– #1 – Call 911/Perform CPR
– #2 – Attach AED

More than two rescuers
– #1 – Call 911
– #2 – Attach AED
– #3 – Perform CPR
Special Considerations
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Is victim lying in water?
Is victim less than
8 years old?
Is victim wearing a
transdermal medication
patch on his or her chest?
Does victim have a
pacemaker or implanted
defibrillator?
Operation of AED
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POWER ON
the AED
ATTACH pads
ANALYZE rhythm
SHOCK (if advised)
Electrode Pad
Placement

Right electrode pad
– To the right of the
breastbone
– Below the collarbone
above the right nipple

Left electrode pad
– Outside the left nipple,
upper edge of the pad
several inches below
the left armpit
Effective Adherence
of Pads

Sweaty chest
– Dry with a towel
– Do not use alcohol

Hairy chest
– Shaving may be
needed
AED Safety
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No patient contact during
analysis and shock
Warn bystanders:
– “I’m clear”
– “You’re clear”
– “Everybody’s clear”
Perform a visual
inspection
Press to shock