What are AED’s and how do they work?
“For each minute defibrillation is delayed, the odds of survival are reduced by approximately 10%”
-American Red Cross
Automated External Defibrillators – AED’s – are critical pieces of life-saving equipment that ultimately lead to better heart attack and cardiac arrest outcomes when used properly, efficiently, and quickly. An AED is a specialized, portable device that analyses a heart rhythm to determine if the person experiencing cardiac arrest has one of the shockable rhythms. If one of these rhythms are present, a shock will be delivered either automatically, or at the push of a button.
How to use an AED
- Direct someone to get the nearest AED. If you are alone, retrieve it yourself
- Turn on the AED
- Follow all voice commands given by the AED
The voice commands given by the AED will direct you to apply the AED pads to the persons bare skin on two parts of the chest. Remember that you should not stop CPR to apply AED pads, unless you are the only rescuer. If there are multiple rescuers, apply pads while the other person is performing their cycles of compressions and rescue breaths. One pad is to be placed on the right side of the body, just under the collarbone and over the right breast or pectoral. The second pad is placed on the left side of the body, just under the heart and on the side of the left chest so to be in line with the left armpit. Keep in mind that the AED pads will have a printed diagram on the pads, showing you exactly where they need to be placed, should you forget or need to direct someone else to apply the pads.
Once the pads are applied, the AED will direct you to back off the person while the heart is being analyzed. This is the only time in which you stop doing CPR. The AED will then advise that a shock is required, and charge a shock. After an automatic or manual shock button is pressed, immediately begin CPR. The AED will reassess the person’s heart after two additional minutes of CPR to determine if another shock is advise
What do I do if the AED does not advise a shock?
If the AED analyses a heart rhythm and does not advise a shock, immediately resume CPR, beginning with chest compressions before moving to ventilations. After 2 additional minutes of high-quality CPR, the AED will re-analyze the heart rhythm. If at that point a shock is advised, administer the shock. If the AED again does not advise a shock, continue with high-quality CPR.
AED Takeaways
Use of an AED is a critical step in a persons eventual outcome and return to normal life post-cardiac arrest. CPR is a vital step that keeps the heart pumping, oxygenating and perfusing the body. It does not restart the heart. Giving the heart an electrical shock by quick and proper use of an AED will have the greatest impact on restoring normal electrical heart rhythm, and giving the patient the best chance at survival.
November 30, 2021
Jaret Kehl, NREMT