Heartsaver AED for the Lay Rescuer and First Responder ©American Heart Association

Extent of the Problem n 1.1 million heart attacks n 480,000 deaths due to coronary heart disease n 250,000 prehospital cardiac arrests

Recognize Emergency and Call 911 n Airway obstruction –Universal distress signal, blue skin n Respiratory arrest –Not breathing but has pulse n Cardiac arrest –Not breathing and no pulse

Activate EMS n Know your local EMS number n Give the location of call n Telephone number n The nature of the emergency n Advise that AED is on the scene n Don’t hang up until dispatcher advises

Signs of Cardiac Arrest n Unresponsive n Not breathing n No pulse

AEDs and Ventricular Fibrillation n VF is the most frequent initial rhythm in sudden cardiac arrest n VF is a useless quivering of the heart that results in no blood flow n Defibrillation is the only effective treatment for VF n Successful electrical defibrillation diminishes rapidly over time

Time and AEDs n Approximately 50% survival after 5 minutes n Survival reduced by 7% to 10% each minute n Rapid defibrillation is key n CPR helps extend survival time minutes

Priorities and the AED C - Circulation A - Airway B - Breathing D - Defibrillation

AEDs and Personnel n One rescuer –Unresponsiveness – Call 911 – Get the AED –Assess Breathing/Pulse –Attach AED n Two rescuers –#1 – Call 911/Perform CPR –#2 – Attach AED n More than two rescuers –#1 – Call 911 –#2 – Attach AED –#3 – Perform CPR

Special Considerations n Is victim lying in water? n Is victim less than 8 years old? n Is victim wearing a transdermal medication patch on his or her chest? n Does victim have a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator?

Operation of AED n POWER ON the AED n ATTACH pads n ANALYZE rhythm n SHOCK (if advised)

Electrode Pad Placement n Right electrode pad –To the right of the breastbone –Below the collarbone above the right nipple n Left electrode pad –Outside the left nipple, upper edge of the pad several inches below the left armpit

Effective Adherence of Pads n Sweaty chest –Dry with a towel –Do not use alcohol n Hairy chest –Shaving may be needed

AED Safety n No patient contact during analysis and shock n Warn bystanders: –“I’m clear” –“You’re clear” –“Everybody’s clear” n Perform a visual inspection n Press to shock