Heartsaver AED

for the Lay Rescuer and First Responder

1998 American Heart Association

Extent of the Problem

1.1 million heart attacks 480,000 deaths due to coronary heart disease 250,000 prehospital cardiac arrests

Chain of Survival

Early Access

Early CPR

Early Early Defibrillation Advanced Care

Recognize Emergency and Call 911

Airway obstruction
Universal distress signal, blue skin

Respiratory arrest
Not breathing but has pulse

Cardiac arrest
Not breathing and no pulse

Activate EMS

Know your local EMS number Give the location of call Telephone number The nature of the emergency Advise that AED is on the scene Dont hang up until dispatcher advises

Signs of Cardiac Arrest

Unresponsive Not breathing No pulse

AEDs and Ventricular Fibrillation

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

Time and AEDs

Approximately 50% survival after 5 minutes Survival reduced by 7% to 10% each minute Rapid defibrillation 100 is key 80 CPR helps extend 60 survival time
40 20 0 1 3 6 10

Survival

minutes

Priorities and the AED

A Airway B Breathing C Circulation D Defibrillation

AEDs and Personnel

One rescuer
Unresponsiveness Call 911 Get the AED Assess Breathing/Pulse Attach AED

Two rescuers
#1 Call 911/Perform CPR #2 Attach AED

More than two rescuers

#1 Call 911 #2 Attach AED #3 Perform CPR

Special Considerations

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

Operation of AED

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

Electrode Pad Placement

Right electrode pad

To the right of the breastbone Below the collarbone above the right nipple

Left electrode pad

Outside the left nipple, upper edge of the pad several inches below the left armpit

Effective Adherence of Pads

Sweaty chest
Dry with a towel Do not use alcohol

Hairy chest
Shaving may be needed

AED Safety

No patient contact during analysis and shock Warn bystanders: Im clear Youre clear Everybodys clear Perform a visual inspection Press to shock