What Is An Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?

There is no current medical equipment designed to predict the occurrence of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). An SCA could happen to you, as it doesn’t choose a specific age or even moment when it attacks.

When you experience an SCA, your heart immediately stops beating, which results in the cessation of the breathing reflex. During these types of situations, your only hope is for a medically trained individual to conduct Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) immediately. Your brain’s chances of survival depend on the timeliness and effectiveness of CPR.

This is why most trained professionals carry Automated External Defibrillators or AEDs to any emergency scene.

 

What Are AEDs?

The advancement of medical science has allowed medical professionals to conduct credible assessments swiftly. Thus, reducing the gap from the evaluation and treatment of a patient. The AED is a result of these scientific advancements.

The AED is a device now commonly found in large establishments, such as schools, airports, and even government buildings. You can buy them from reputable companies like Avive life.

AEDs have two main types. These are professional AEDs and Public Access.

Public Access is the AEDs that allow you to take advantage of its features despite minimal training. You can find these on the previously mentioned buildings and even private businesses.

These are usually automated, allowing little to no need for you to intervene. As soon as the machine analyzes the heart’s rhythm, it calculates the proper amount of shock required to jolt it back to life.

Professional-grade AEDs are those that are used by doctors, nurses and emergency-trained individuals. These come in two kinds. Some are automated while others are semi-automated.

The semi-automated AED works similarly to automated AED. However, when the device detects an abnormal heart rhythm, a prompt is heard. You must then press the appropriate button to provide the defibrillation shock.

 

Why is an AED important?

Despite CPR being an effective tool against SCA, the AED is still considered the best and fastest treatment. This is especially important if your country has a high rate of cardiac arrest.

The window for treating an individual experiencing SCA is so tiny that quick treatment is essential. The longer you have to wait for a cure to come, the smaller the chances are of the patient surviving the attack.

With CPRs needing more time and assessment, the quick and easy system that comes with an AED will give you the best chance to survive.

Here are more benefits you gain in purchasing an automated external defibrillator.

 

1.   Helping Save Lives

An SCA is more likely to happen to someone outside of a hospital than inside. A large majority of people experiencing SCA are found to have to deal with it alone or with an untrained individual.

Despite these findings, there’s still much debate in how a cardiac arrest should be dealt. Some have argued that due to the level of the emergency, it’s more apparent that medical emergency professionals should handle them.

Meanwhile, others defend the public use of AED as it could save lives. Arguing that waiting for emergency services might cost someone their life. This is because the emergency services could get delayed when traveling to the location of the emergency and may arrive too late.

Though many medical councils and associations support the use of automated defibrillators for the community, it has been repeatedly reiterated that it must only be used in lieu of the availability of someone capable of doing CPR as CPR is still considered adequate for immediate care. In the event that CPR is available, it must be administered first before any use of AED.

 

2.   Cost-Effective

The simple reason why an AED is cost-effective is the ability to save lives. A life is invaluable. Despite the price of an AED going for a few thousands, it does provide you and your company peace of mind that you may be able to save someone in SCA.

 

3.   Easy Use

The prime feature of an AED is the ability to provide audio and visual instructions to anyone using it. This allows you, someone who doesn’t have the experience of handling such a device, to use it when the moment arrives. Some companies that sell the AEDs can provide you with some training to better prepare your staff or family.

 

Who Can Use an AED?

As previously mentioned, the use of AED is a heated topic between medical professionals and scholars alike. Though, anyone can use an automated version of an AED due to the easy use of its features. However, if you’re in possession of a semi-automated version, as much as possible, leave it to someone that has the proper training.

 

Proper AED Use and Maintenance

If you or your business decide to purchase an AED you should know a few things before you buy any. Here are some additional tips that everyone in your household or business should know before handling the maintenance and use of an AED:

  1. Only buy AEDs from government-approved businesses or sales agents. Some countries will have a website noting registered companies that sell these devices. This will prevent you from purchasing defective or counterfeit equipment.
  2. Register your devices with its manufacturer. This will allow you to get up-to-date information on the status of the product you purchased. In the off chance there are safety alerts or if it gets recalled, you’ll be informed immediately. However, keeping track of news and information about your device would be the best option.
  3. Consider studying and training. Multiple agencies offer various levels of training to ensure the preparedness of a user. Some manufacturers also have a list of recommended training and courses. In these courses, you’ll be able to experience using the AED first-hand. Everyone in your family and business is recommended to undergo these training.
  4. AEDs are devices that can only perform when you bring it to the emergency scene on time. You must also consider the storage location of the AED, placing it in areas for easy access. The best spots are those that are visually accessible.
  5. You never know when you’re required to use the AED so up-to-date maintenance must be done to ensure that it will function when the moment arrives. Remember to replace the batteries and electrode pads as stated in the manual. Most AEDs require a change of battery every four years. Always keep spare batteries and pads in the event the ones installed fails.
  6. Keep your eyes and ears open when using the AED. These devices are state-of-the-art systems. You’ll be prompted if the machine is not working correctly or if it has been damaged.
  7. Don’t buy machines not intended for the workplace or home. Depending on why you’re purchasing an AED you must research and purchase devices that are specially made for the appropriate setting. Don’t get lured by salesmen upselling professional-grade AEDs. The ones used for public use will work for your needs.

 

Conclusion

Many countries have reported a large number of individuals that have been saved due to an AED. It doesn’t come as a surprise that a large percentage was saved by non-medical professionals.

Although emergency services are always there to help you, you can’t expect them to be there all the time. With other factors such as traffic and distance, your home or workplace can quickly become an emergency scene as an SCA could happen to anyone in your family or business. Don’t wait to learn the lesson the hard way. The lives you might save could be your loved one.

 

 

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Written by HealthStatus Team
Medical Writer & Editor

HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

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