AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AED)

1. LESSON 6 AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AED) 6-1

2. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) • Many victims who receive BLS need an AED • Often in cardiac arrest heart has abnormal rhythm • Use AED with unresponsive victim who is not breathing normally • AED may correct abnormal heart rhythm

3. Public Access to AEDs • Ideally an AED should reach victim within minutes • AEDs available in many places • For use by trained rescuers and first aiders

4. Heart’s Electrical System continued • Ventricular fibrillation common abnormal heart rhythm after heart attack, electrocution, hypothermia and other causes • Ventricles of heart are quivering instead of beating rhythmically • In about ½ of cases of cardiac arrest, victim’s heart is in fibrillation

5. How AEDs Work • Automatically checks victim’s heart rhythm to detect fibrillation • Advises whether victim needs a shock • The shock (defibrillation) is an attempt to return heart to a more normal rhythm

6. Time is Important • AEDs are easy and simple to use but must be used right away • With every minute that goes by, survival drops by about 10%

7. AED Use in Children • Follow adult guidelines for children over age 8 • Sudden cardiac arrest can occur in younger children and infants • SIDS • Poisoning • Drowning • Heart problems

8. AED Use in Children continued • Give child two minutes of CPR before using AED • Unless witnessed that child collapsed suddenly

9. AED Use in Children continued • Use pediatric pads • Smaller • Produce lower-energy shocks • Follow diagram on pads for placement • Pediatric pads should not be used on adults • If pediatric pads are not available, use adult pads

10. Internal Pacemaker/Defibrillator • May see bulge beneath victim’s skin • Do not place AED over area—place it at least one or more inches away • If victim’s body is jerking • Implanted defibrillator may be giving shocks • Wait until jerking ends