AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
What is an AED?
An Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, is an electronic device that can recognize a heart rhythm that requires a shock, then prompt the rescuer to deliver the shock by pressing a button. AEDs are small, lightweight, simple to operate, and extremely reliable.
AEDs allow individuals with minimal training to respond to cardiac emergencies, particularly SCA's (Sudden Cardiac Arrest). The lunch box-sized containers house adhesive electrode pads that deliver brief electrical stimulation to the chest, interrupting the abnormal heart rhythms and restoring normal function. Pre-programmed for heart electrical analysis, the devices use voice prompts and a display screen to ensure effective operation.
The American Heart Association reports that sudden cardiac arrest victims who receive immediate CPR and an AED shock within 3 to 5 minutes have survival rates as high as 48 to 74 percent. Considering that SCA strikes as many as 250,000 Americans each year, an estimated 50,000 lives could be saved through CPR and AED training and widespread AED distribution.
AEDs are becoming more widely available and being used in a wide range of settings, including airplanes, office buildings, industrial plants, casinos, golf courses, cruise ships, sports arenas and health clubs.
How effective are AEDs?
AEDs are proven to be safe, reliable and effective in preventing unnecessary death from sudden cardiac arrest. Studies have clearly demonstrated that survival rates are high when defibrillation treatment is administered within the first few minutes following SCA. In three studies of cardiac arrest in supervised cardiac-rehabilitation centers, more than 90 percent of victims were successfully resuscitated. According to the American Heart Association, SCA survivors have a good long-term prognosis: 80 percent survive for at least one year, and 57 percent survive for five years or longer. When analyzed by age group, survival rates are comparable to those for members of the same age group who have not experienced sudden cardiac arrest. These statistics reveal the opportunity for early intervention to preserve productive and fulfilling lives for victims of sudden cardiac arrest.