It is estimated that hundreds of people die each day because of sudden heart problems in Canada. AED first aid can be carried out by any person as long as one has undergone training on how to use the device effectively.
Automated External Defibrillators or AED refer to computerized devices that help people save the life of a victim of cardiac arrest. The device has the ability to monitor the rhythm of the heart and can deliver electric shock to the chest when required just like the paddle defibrillator that was used in the hospital. One of the major causes of cardiac arrest is abnormalities of the heartbeat that makes it unable to pump blood to body organs and the brain.
CPR is a Must with AED
One important point that should be noted is that AED first aid cannot be used as a substitute for CPR. Any person who has undergone training on how to use AED must be trained in CPR. This is because CPR is a key step in helping establish blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the body. The device may also instruct the first aider to continue with CPR as it analyses how the heart of the victim is beating. Studies have shown that even when CPR is given, there are higher rate of death if defibrillation is not done immediately.
How to Setup an AED
The first step when using defibrillator is to check the condition of the victim to find how he or she responds and then call emergency service providers. If the victim does not show any signs of breathing or has abnormal breathing, you should start CPR. Then you need to check if there is pulse and in case there isn’t, you should turn on the AED. A second rescuer should move on to use CPR until the defibrillator is attached.
An AED contains patches or electro pads that are applied to the chest of the victim. They are connected to a computerized monitoring device that delivers the electric current. There are a wide variety of AED’s, but all of them work in the same way. After application of the patches to the chest of the patient, it records and makes an evaluation of the rhythm of the heart. You just need to follow the instructions through text messages, lights and verbal prompts given by the device. The good thing is that with proper training, it is easy to carry out AED first aid without having to take the patient to the hospital.