AEDs are extremely easy for most people to use. When the machine is turned on, it will instruct the user on what to do. No one should be touching the patient during the defibrillation process, as this could cause a false reading. If a shock is warranted, the battery will charge in preparation to deliver a shock. The AED guides the user through each step of this process. Depending on the model, the AED may instruct the user to give CPR as needed.

AEDs require minimal training to use, automatically analyzing the cardiac victim’s heart rhythm and determining whether a shock is required. The AED will administer a shock without the user’s command. In most circumstances, the user cannot override an AED’s “no shock” advisory.

All AEDs approved in the United States now come with an electric voice prompt to guide users through each step. Some users may be hearing impaired, so there are AED models that have visual prompts as well. Most of these units have been designed by non-medical operators.

In CPR training through The Red Cross, there is now a section focusing on the use of AEDs. The whole section takes no more than 10 minutes to review, but gives the trainees confidence in knowing that if they needed to use an AED in public, it would not be a complicated procedure. This ensures the survival of many people out in the community. In fact, AEDs are giving rise to the idea of PADs (public access device), which experts are agreeing has the potential to be the single greatest advancement in the treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies since CPR.

The first commercially available AEDs gave a high energy shock of 360-400 joules, depending on the model. This increased cardiac injury and sometimes caused third degree burns to the cardiac victim. Today, AEDs give two lower energy shocks off 120-200 joules, with each shock moving in opposite polarities between pads. This has proven more effective, and reduces the risk of cardiac injury, as well as reducing patient recovery time.

The fact that the general public does not have to determine the electrical energy output, or determine the steps to take in using an AED, makes public confidence rise. The likelihood of a person in the public using an AED to help a victim of a cardiac emergency is much more plausible. This, in turn will save many lives.

“Shockable Arrests”

Electrical signals from the brain tell the heart when to beat. Similar to the action of a timing belt, these signals control which parts of the heart does its job and when. For a variety of reasons, the heart goes into what’s called ventricular tachycardia or VT. This is when the heart goes into hyper-drive, beating from 120 to over 200 times a minute. A normal heart rate at rest is 60 to 80 beats per minute. The lower heart chambers, or ventricles, begin to beat blood out faster than they can fill. If VT continues, the heart can then advance to deadly VF, or ventricle fibrillation. VF is when the ventricles can only twitch uselessly, stopping the blood flow to the brain. This is the point of no return. Unless electric shock is applied within less than five minutes, asystole, better known as flat line, follows. Usually after then even electric shock has no effect because the heart has died. If cardiac arrest happens at home, chances are slim that machine and those trained people are available.

Automated External Defibrillator

That little machine is a godsend to people who have gone into VF. Designed to be used by anybody able to follow a few brief directions, the automated external defibrillator, or AED, delivers that critical shock to restore normal rhythm. Leads are simply and easily attached to the chest. They then inform the machine if indeed the heart has arrested and it it’s because of VF. If it determines the need for shock it can be delivered immediately. The shock actually stops the heart completely. It then rests momentarily before it hopefully resumes beating at a more normal rhythm. The AED can confirm this.

These life-saving machines are found in more and more locations every day. They’re in many places; airports, office buildings, restaurants, courthouses, schools and even bars are stocking them. There’s good reason for this. More than a third of people who suffer cardiac arrest in public and treated with an AED survived. That’s much better odds than the national average of only eight percent.

Luckily, many public places now have portable defibrillators available in case of a medical emergency. This has drastically decreased the number of deaths that occur in public places. Malls, community centers, airports, and other large places where large numbers of people pass through are now making defibrillators available for public use. Finding a defibrillator in a public place is now as common as finding a fire extinguisher.

Automatic External Defibrillators have long been used by medical professionals to shock a person’s heart and re-set the heart rhythm back to a normal rate. Commonly referred to as AEDs, defibrillators are portable devices that deliver a shock to the heart, and are made to recognize abnormal heart rhythms.

Receiving training and certification to use a defibrillator is easy to obtain, and the American Heart Association offers training along with CPR certification. Using a defibrillator is actually easier than performing CPR, so medical experts as well as the American Heart Association actually recommend that people use a defibrillator before trying CPR. Performing CPR can immediately help regain a normal blood pressure and flow, but it’s even more important to restore a normal heart rate through the use of a defibrillator. Since these are so easy to use, it is extremely wise for public places to carry a defibrillator. Not only are they simple to use and lightweight, they also have extremely high success rates.

Now commonly found in public places, the average person can now save a life in places like schools, malls, and airports. Almost anyone can operate a defibrillator, as all it requires is that you turn it on by moving the lid, and then follow the voice instructions that come directly from the defibrillator. Each step is instructed by the defibrillator, telling the person what to do, including when it is time to stop and start CPR. In the event of a medical emergency, one should always call 9-1-1, but using a defibrillator can help save a life while waiting on medical responders to arrive.

The American Heart Association states that 294,851 of 9-1-1 calls are made each year for cardiac arrest. If more people know how to use a defibrillator, they could be saving a life. A person who is experiencing some sort of heart failure has a better chance of surviving when they are revived within the first four minutes, meaning that having access to a defibrillator in a public place increases the chance of survival more than anything else that could be done.

Although medical responders try to reach medical emergencies quickly, public places that carry portable defibrillators are helping to insure that a life has a better chance of being saved.

Many hospitals and other medical facilities will provide rehabilitation programs to help educate you on steps you need to take in recovering from your heart attack. The chances of a future attack for some are lessened by a third by implanting a pager-sized defibrillator which will check for abnormal beats and zap the heart back to normal if necessary. Former Vice President Dick Cheney has had just such a defibrillator in him.

The cardiac rehabilitation programs provide exercise programs to many heart attack victims to aid in recovery and prevent future attacks. The programs will also show you how to lessen the stress in your life, teach you how to recognize if you might need further treatments, the proper diet for you, about sexual activity, and additional issues a heart attack victim might face. Such programs may also give you the chance to talk about with other heart attack victims about what you are feeling and how your life has been affected.

All of these issues will be important in your recovering from a heart attack. How long your personal recovery will take will depend on what your daily activities were previously, how severe your attack was, and how your body has responded. Keeping stress out of your life will quicken the pace of your recovery from the heart attack. Avoiding extremely hot or cold temperatures will hasten your recovery as well.

Doctors say heart attack victims need to take a look at their lives. Of course, smokers should quit smoking. It is important to begin an exercise program recommended by your doctor. You may have to make changes to your diet. Some people may even need to consider whether they need to make changes in their jobs. You will need to take all medications you doctor has recommended at the prescribed times. If changes are not made, there will be a greater chance of a future attack.

Additional procedures may be necessary to avoid future attacks. These can include additional medications you are not yet taking, bypass surgery, and percutaneous coronary interventions.

The use of a defibrillator may also lessen your chances of another heart attack. While 250,000 people have a heart attack annually while not in a hospital, and more than 90 percent of such people die, a defibrillator may prevent many such deaths. Some doctors estimate two to three million people could be helped by a defibrillator.

While a defibrillator may cost $20,000, and the total cost of a night’s hospital stay, surgery to install the device, and receiving a defibrillator can cost $40,000 to $60,000, higher demand could drive costs down.

The good news is, if you have had a heart attack, there are things that can be done to prevent another one.

A defibrillator is a device that is designed to “jumpstart” a person’s heart when it has suddenly stopped functioning properly. Another name for a defibrillator is an AED, which stands for Automated External Defibrillator. At one time, because most people didn’t have enough knowledge on how to come to the aid of a person’s suffering from cardiac arrest, defibrillators weren’t as commonplace as they are becoming today, but because of the rise of heart-related fatalities in recent decades, the presence of defibrillators in public places are becoming increasingly common.

The importance of having defibrillators in public places is just as important as having fire alarms in public places. Just imagine a school or an office building having no fire alarms. Then how are people going to know whether or not to evacuate a potential danger situation? That’s the purpose of having defibrillators.

Because we live in an unpredictable world in which anything can happen at any given moment, it’s always good to be prepared. As the old adage goes, ‘to be forewarned is to be forearmed’. The same applies in having a defibrillator in a public place.

Happily, the presence of defibrillators in public places is now rapidly beginning to catch on. In many places, wherever’s there’s a fire alarm, there’s a defibrillator right next to it. Also like a fire alarm, it has written instruction on how to properly use a defibrillator in the event of an emergency.

Yes, defibrillators are finally becoming part of the social consciousness of society today. This is not just true in America, but throughout the world as a whole. People get sick everywhere, so they want to have access to the same safety facilities as Americans do.

Sometimes-unfortunately-this may affect us in a personal way. One day, one of our loved ones or we may appreciate the value of having a defibrillator by our side. This is something that has been hit close to home for some.

So, there’s no reason to be surprised if we should see such a device in our school, office building, or even our local restaurant. Unfortunate situations happen everywhere, and it’s better to have such defibrillators right there on the premises than to have to wait for an ambulance, which can take who knows how long, and when they arrive, it may be too late.

Yes, defibrillators have finally become a common staple of many institutions, it is being taken seriously by many people, who perhaps formerly did not appreciate its value-until something happened to them or someone that they love-or loved.

Never underestimate the importance of having a defibrillator around. It can truly be a lifesaver, just as it already has to numerous people, who can testify as to its effectiveness. By all means, always appreciate the importance of having defibrillators in public places.

Choosing to stop smoking is one of the most advantageous steps that you can take when proactively avoiding heart disease. The numerous toxins that are introduced into the body as well as the many physiological changes that take place when you smoke are easily avoided by immediately committing to an assisted smoking cessation program. There are numerous methods that are commonly successful in helping short and long term smokers find relief from this addiction. The key to success however, often lies in a willingness to get assistance, whether in the form of physical aids such as nicotine patches, lozenges or gum, medication, acupuncture or any one of many others.

An improved diet and routine exercise are also key to gaining optimal heart health. A good nutritional plan will include plenty of good cholesterol such as that found in olives, olive oil, avocados and fish, while eliminating or dramatically reducing the bad cholesterol that is commonly found in fast food, processed food and animal fats. Proactively avoiding heart disease requires you to consume a fiber-dense diet that contains a vast selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. One good rule for heart healthy eating is to begin consuming foods that are closest to their natural form. A baked potato is preferable to french fries and fresh fruit juice is preferable to fruit flavored sodas and other fruit flavored beverages.

Exercise does not have to be extensive, but should be regular. A brisk, thirty minute walk each day can have a phenomenal effect on heart health. People that do not exercise routinely should not commit to a physically exhausting workout that they cannot maintain. In addition to taking daily walks you can also make minor changes in the way that you proceed about your day in order to bring about higher levels of physical activity all around. This can include taking the stairs rather than the elevator and opting to bike short distances to the store rather than drive. By making small but effective modifications to your lifestyle you can easily adapt better behaviors and health.

There are numerous other natural methods of proactively avoiding heart disease. A regular, twice yearly detoxification program can help to reduce the level of built up toxins within the body. Not only will this result in less stress for all major organ systems, but improved health and functionality overall. A juice fast, fruit fast or any other special diet that relieves the digestive tract and promotes efficient toxin removal will typically suffice. Including regular doses of red pepper in the diet will supply the body with capsaicin which has the natural ability to help fight off heart disease. This can be found in capsule form in order to avoid the spicy taste.

If you currently suffer from a fast or otherwise irregular heartbeat, it is necessary to speak with your doctor about your defibrillator options. Taking determined steps towards relieving the heart of unnecessary strain is essential to your goal of proactively avoiding heart disease. The right unit for your specific medical needs will not only stimulate regulated heartbeats but can detect potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmia, which is the first and best prevention for sudden cardiac death.

Portable defibrillators are now being used by ordinary people to save lives before medical responders can reach the scene. Many people who suffer from heart problems are buying portable defibrillators and are learning how to use them in case of emergencies. Some schools and businesses are purchasing them so they can treat patients while waiting for help to arrive. They are smaller than the defibrillators used in hospitals and can be carried anywhere. While training is available through first aid or CPR classes, most portable defibrillators verbally tell the user what to do. They can also diagnose the patient’s condition to determine if defibrillation is necessary or not. These features make them easy to use by anyone, increasing a victim’s chances of survival.

Cardiac arrest can happen as a result of many health problems: Electrocution, heart disease, heart attack, choking or drowning are just some of the causes. Stories of children suffering from cardiac arrest during school sport events are beginning to surface more and more. Medical epidemics like obesity and diabetes lead to heart disease. With all of these health issues, chances are good that someone you know may go into cardiac arrest and will need defibrillation. Having a portable defibrillator could make the difference between life and death for your loved one.

When a person goes into cardiac arrest, he only has 4 to 6 minutes before irreversible damage or death occurs. Medical attention is necessary as soon as possible to give the victim a better chance at survival. Approximately 95 percent of people suffering from cardiac arrest die before arriving at the hospital. When defibrillation is provided within 5 to 7 minutes, survival rates can be as much as 30-45 percent. Having a portable defibrillator allows the victim to receive attention before this critical time limit passes. While it’s still crucial to call for medical help, using a portable defibrillator buys time for the victim until help arrives and further medical treatment can be determined.

-Lack of training
-Lack of familiarity with AED’s
-Fear of harming the victim
-Fear of being held legally liable for a poor outcome

However, defibrillators can save lives. Most people who experience sudden cardiac arrest die within minutes, and survival rates decrease for each minute that a person is left untreated. During a sudden cardiac episode, the heart stops beating and blood and oxygen are not delivered to the brain and other organs. Therefore, early detection and intervention by bystanders is crucial while waiting for emergency medical services (EMS) to arrive.

Now that the importance of defibrillators has been established, it is important to refute some of the misconceptions associated with defibrillators. The first misconceptions are lack of training and lack of familiarity with AED’s. Often times, we see only trained medical professionals on TV using defibrillators, whereas, the layperson is limited to using CPR. This sends a message defibrillators are complicated devices that only a trained professional can use. However, there are defibrillators available for laypeople to use. These are called automated external defibrillators, or AED’s. The name of an AED is self-explanatory; the defibrillator checks the victim’s pulse and determines if a shock is needed and how much. All the administrator needs to do is:

-Make sure the person is in a safe, dry location
-Turn on the AED
-Attach the pads, or electrodes
-Follow the directions to defibrillate or administer CPR where appropriate

Additionally, CPR was once a feared procedure. However, thanks to cartoons showing characters performing CPR, many children have been able to save a friend or family member from merely witnessing it on TV. If children can successfully administer CPR, surely an adult can use an AED to save a life as well.

Another fear that holds people back from administering AED’s is fear of harming the victim and legal liability for a poor outcome. Witnessing an individual have a sudden cardiac episode is a terrifying and stressful situation, and finding an unconscious and unresponsive person is no less so. Often times, people can feel helpless in these situations, and believe that they are powerless to do anything to help. However, it is more harmful not to render aid in cases of cardiac arrest, as the victim could die while waiting for EMS to arrive. Although it is unlikely, there are Good Samaritan Laws in all 50 United States protecting the layperson from liability if there is a poor outcome.

Contrary to television, a flat line, asystole, isn’t when you deliver an electrical shock. Ventricular Fibrillation, the most common rhythm of a cardiac insult, and Ventricular Tachycardia are the only two conditions the heart can tolerate and benefit from an external electrical push. Electricity is needed during these times to help “re-set’ the automatic conduction cells of the heart, preferably the Sino-Atrial Node. External defibrillators are the only device approved for this emergency.

Many different companies make various styles of these important machines. It does not matter the make or the model, all of them are equally important during a cardiac arrest. AED’s or defibrillators are fool proof. Turn them on and they will tell you what to do each step of the way. This is probably the most critical event to happen during an arrest, CPR is not as important as the delivery of the electricity, as long as the defibrillator tells you “shock advised”. Defibrillation’s the one event which may take a quivering heart out of one of the two fatal rhythms. CPR buys time for the defibrillator to arrive and to be attached to the victim.

In a simplistic explanation of what an AED or defibrillator will do is as follows:
After ensuring you are safe and the patient is not wet, turn the device on, some power up once the case has been opened. The defibrillator will tell you to attach pads, then to press analyze. Once a rhythm has been identified it will tell you “shock advised” or “continue CPR.” Make sure no one is touching the victim when you press “analyze” or “shock,” defibrillators will interpret the rhythm incorrectly and will deliver a shock to the person touching the victim.

The first step is to begin administering CPR as quickly as possible. CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and it is the artificial breathing for another person while simultaneously performing chest compressions to pump the heart manually. To begin administering CPR, roll the person onto their back. Next raise the chin and be sure their airway is clear. If the airway is blocked use a finger to swipe any obstruction from the back of the throat and be sure to pull the tongue forward as to ensure it does not become an obstruction. Then begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by manually blowing air into the affected person’s mouth and observing that the lungs inflate and the chest expands.

The second aspect to CPR is chest compression that is performed by placing two hands, one on top of the other, in the center of the person’s chest and pushing down swiftly and firmly for a succession of at least five compressions. This will manually force the heart to pump and therefore create an artificial form of circulation to ensure blood is flowing to the person’s lungs and brain. While someone is performing CPR it is best to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency response center, as well as obtain an automated external defibrillator, or AED. While CPR is helpful and useful, an AED has been proven capable of turning an irregular heartbeat into a normal beat.

The AED functions by delivering an electrical shock to the heart muscle. Recently AED machines have been manufactured in a compact version and can be found in most public settings. They are easy to use and all have instructions on how to properly administer treatment. An automated external defibrillator has computerized instructions that will give step by step instructions to the user once turned on, and also supplies diagrams to show exactly where to place the pads and if a shock is needed to restore normal heart function. The AED also does an automatic evaluation of the affected person’s heart rate in the form of an EKG, or an electrocardiogram. If a shock is needed to restore normal cardiac rhythm the machine will instruct the user on exactly what steps to take to administer a shock, and will then immediately continue with EKG tracking to determine the effectiveness of the shock. It is important to take these steps immediately when someone is in cardiac arrest as life or death outcomes can be determined within minutes of its onset.