According to the American Heart Association (AHA), out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidents reached to 359,400 in 2013 and 40% of these survived by receiving bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). But the survival rate even increases by 25% if sufferers are treated with the aid of an automated external defibrillators (AED), making it a vital part in the utilization of an emergency response system.
What is an AED?
As defined by the AHA, an AED “is a computerized medical device that can check a person’s heart as well as shock it back to a normal rhythm”. It is designed to work automatically which makes its use convenient even for non-medical personnel.
When and Where to Use AEDs?
Physical Signs
AEDs are used when a person becomes medically unstable, pulseless but not in a seizure. All first-responding personnel must undergo proper training in using AED especially when there is also a relative danger in administering shock to a person who doesn’t need it. Thus, the most important part of this training is the identification of the physical signs of a:
– Heart Attack
– Congestive Heart Failure
– Injury such as electrocution
Common places of incidence:
The American Heart Association recommends that AEDs be available wherever large numbers of people congregate. This includes but not limited to:
– Construction
– Transportation
– Communications
– Manufacturing
– Public utilities
Who Should Be Trained for AED?
AED training is usually given to emergency medical staff, law enforcement, firefighting department, security force, and aircraft/ ship attendants. But as more safety practices incorporated with an emergency response system are promoted in the workplace, it is recommended that all personnel who are likely to be first-responders, both hospital and non-hospital should undergo training and allowed to use an AED.
Check your local hospitals or non-profit medical organizations for certified training courses on AED.
Image credit: http://qph.is.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-8f2854a029e50be8a5cd5504d36a49e7?convert_to_webp=true