AED- Automated External Defibrillation ZAP!

The Shock of Your Life Each year approx 500,000 Americans die of cardiac arrest 95% do not survive Needs electric shock-defibrillators AED-Automatic External Defibrillator Result more cardiac arrest victims being saved modern-, easy to use- computer chip tells how much shock is needed and given A defibrillator is used to restore a normal heart rhythm by delivering an electrical shock to the heart when the heartbeat is dangerously fast due to ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Either of these conditions can reach a life-threatening point at which a person suddenly loses consciousness because the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body’s demand (cardiac arrest). Some defibrillators are external (e.g., defibrillator paddles in an emergency room), and some are internally implanted in the patient’s chest (e.g., an implantable cardioverter defibrillator).

DVD Segment: Heart’s Electrical System

When the Heart Stops The two most common treatable abnormal rhythms are: Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib) Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach)

Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib) Is a state of disorganized electrical activity in the heart The results in fibrillation, or quivering, of the ventricles.

Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach) Very rapid contraction of ventricles. The rate is so fast that the heart is unable to pump blood properly.

Asystole Cannot be corrected by defibrillation Flatline

DVD Segment: How to Use an AED

AED Pad Placement Adult / Child Upper-right side of chest and lower-left side Infant-front and back of chest

Precautions Do not touch victim while defibrillating or analyzing Don’t use alcohol to wipe victim’s chest-Flammable! Do not use an AED on a victim who is in contact w/ water

Precautions continued Do not use on victim w/ nitroglycerine patch or pacemaker Wet victim…dry off Metal between pads (necklace, charm, bra clasps) Hairy chest…may have to shave

How to use an AED Turn on AED Wipe victim’s chest dry Attach pads Plug the connector into the AED Make sure no one, including you, is touching the victim Push the ‘analyze’ button If a shock is advised, push the ‘shock’ button