Stay calm, turn the AED on and follow the prompts.
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a sophisticated device capable of detecting a lethal heart rhythm called Ventricular Fibrillation.
A defibrillator stops the heart from fibrillating. The heart doesn’t stop, rather it just quivers and shakes and is unable to pump blood to the brain. CPR is necessary until an AED arrives and someone can deliver a shock to restore a normal rhythm back to the heart. That person could be you once you are certified in CPR/ AED.
The faster you deliver the shock the better the chance of survival. In the event that a person did not respond to the first shock, then CPR is resumed until the AED reanalyzes after two minutes.
There is a 90% chance a person will respond to the first shock if given within one minute of cardiac arrest, and an 80% chance in Mintute two…
The most likely place to find an AED in public places is by the restrooms in shopping malls, airports, casinos, sporting arenas, and just recently in stores like CVS, target, Home Depot, and Walgreens. In an emergency when somebody stops breathing have someone call 911, and send others to ask the front desk, or the manager where the nearest AED is located.
The highest Survival rates from cardiac arrest in the world are in airports and casinos where you have a 70% chance to survive cardiac arrest.
Surviving cardiac arrest depends on your proximity to an AED. Nationwide survival rates from SCA are less than 12%.
Surprisingly, the only businesses required by law to have an AED in California are fitness centers, gyms, yoga studios, and pilate Studios, so survival rate statistics from there are sure to be staggering, as well.
The average response time for the Fire Department, or an ambulance to arrive at the front door of a business, or a residence is eight minutes.
For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation a persons chance of survival decreases by 7–10% [1].
Brain damage will occur in as little as 4 to 6 minutes without blood flow, so compressions have to be initiated while we are waiting for an AED, however, if the AED is within eyesight of the victim, use the defibrillator first! This will most likely bring them back to life immediately.
The treatment for cardiac arrest is not CPR, but rather the shock from the defibrillator that can restore a normal heart rhythm. CPR buys a victim time until the AED arrives, but when the AED arrives first, we use it immediately.
AED’s on airlines
Survival rates from SCA on commercial airlines are surprisingly low considering AEDs are on board. AED’s are located in the rear luggage compartment on commercial airlines.
Using the AED first on airlines could dramatically increase a 15% survival rate from SCA, and help to keep everyone calm. When a person is witnessed to stop breathing, or is only gasping-lay them down horizontally in the three seats with the arm rest up, and while someone is removing the clothes above the waist the other rescuer is turning on the AED and applying the pads. Using the AED first is most effective with a witnessed SCA on an airplane given the complexity of getting a person in the aisle to begin CPR, which would take several minutes, and people may injure themselves in the process.
Become a lifesaver.
Once you have taken a CPR class you will begin noticing AED’s in public places, and can be confident that you know how to operate it. AED’s are clearly marked at eye level in a white cabinet with the international logo for an AED on the glass (a heart with a Lightning bolt through it).
Having the opportunity to practice with an AED trainer In an AHA CPR certification class will give you the confidence, and skill to operate an AED, and perform CPR if needed. To operate an AED you simply turn it on and follow the prompts.
Stay calm.
An AED will only advise to deliver a shock if a person requires it, so they are completely safe, and will not allow you to deliver a shock to a person who has a normal heart rhythm.
If bystander CPR was initiated more consistently, and if AEDs were more widely available every city could achieve a 20% survival rate from cardiac arrest, and an estimated 40,000 more lives could be saved each year. Early CPR and rapid defibrillation with early advanced care can result in high long-term survival rates for witnessed cardiac arrest [2].
AED’s are still expensive, priced between $1500-$3500 and unfortunately in fifteen years they don’t seem to be coming down in price like televisions, or cell phones. This is unfortunate since the higher cost is not helping to increase survival rates from SCA.
Sadly, nearly 74% of all cardiac arrests happen at home where AEDs are rarely found. Someday people will have AEDs in their home just like they have a fire extinguisher or first aid kit, and with more people becoming certified in CPR survival rates will soar.
By Roy Gordon, AHA BLS instructor/ EMT
Revive CPR Training
References:[1] & [2] provided by The American Heart Association (AHA).
Learn more about oAmerican Heart Association BLS classes, BLS certification &
CPR certification in San Francisco,
and how to save-a-life performing high quality CPR.
Roy Gordon
