How Does a Heart Defibrillator Work?
If you have ever watched a TV show like ER or Grey's Anatomy, you probably already know what an AED is you just don’t know what the acronym means - these little devices are often used when doctors call out "clear" when delivering a jolt of electricity to a person's chest. But, don't let the TV shows fool you, these AED devices or Automated External Defibrillators are not just used in hospitals, they can also be bought and used in your home as well. While a hospital needs to get certain paperwork for the AED, a home AED can be bought and used without a prescription, you just need to know a little bit more about this type of defib and if it’s the right option for your needs. You also need to figure out if you have the ability to use it – it’s not just like turning on a light switch, you should have a little knowledge about the device itself, how it works and how it can be beneficial to you or a loved one. Here is some general information on AED's along with some medical devices regulations that you should be aware of if you have an AED in your home.
What Is An AED?
An AED or automated external defibrillator is a device that is not only lightweight and portable, but also very powerful. But, it sort of has to be powerful considering it "shocks" the heart. The device is placed on the chest and a jolt of electric shock is sent to the heart. This type of a shock can help with an irregular rhythmic heart beat and help result in a normal heartbeat. These are specifically used for cardiac arrest which occurs when the heart looses function quickly, function being a normal “beat.” Cardiac arrest can lead to death in just a few minutes if something is not done about it; like using an AED machine. When a person goes into cardiac arrest, essentially it results from ventricular fibrillation. This term might sound a little scary, but ultimately it’s a rapid and uneven heart beat that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). When this happens, the heart must be defibrillated quickly to lessen the chance of death. Mind you AED is not a miracle worker, it’s just a helper along the way to try and get the heart restarted.
Where AED’s are placed?
Beyond just at home or in a hospital, there are many locations where you might find an automated external defibrillator. You can find these in public areas such as amusement park nurse stations, sports arenas, airports and transportation complexes, old folk’s homes, in the back of ambulances and some fire trucks, doctors’ offices and any other place where large numbers of people may be present.
Requirements for AED Usage
Ultimately, anyone can use an AED device, however, if you do have an AED device or you are using one you should have watched a training video about the device, as well as took an AED training class. These classes are available to anyone, via the American Heart Association. They offer CPR and AED training via training centers across the world. On the other hand if you are using this on a person, they have requirements as well; bras with under wire should be removed, piercings to the torso should also be removed to avoid things like interference of the machine. It used to be that these machines took a little more forethought and training, but these days with the introduction of AUTOMATIC external defibs, almost anyone can use one without any issues.
Are These Safe To Use?
Of course any medical device has its benefits and disadvantages, but an AED machine is extremely safe to use. Essentially the jolt of electric shock is programmed so that it goes from one "pad" to another via the victim’s chest. But, basic safeguards can be used to warn other people that are nearby to move away such as saying clear or move away and making sure you visually check the area before you use the AED. This will ensure that no one in the vicinity is touching the victim and therefore no one will get hurt by the machine. You will also need to make sure you are not touching any part of the victim, besides the AED itself which is placed on the chest of the victim. In instances of SCA (sudden cardiac arrest) it’s easy to get frazzled, but just pay attention to what you are doing, where your hands, knees and legs are as well as those around you and everything will be fine when you use the AED system.
What Is An AED?
An AED or automated external defibrillator is a device that is not only lightweight and portable, but also very powerful. But, it sort of has to be powerful considering it "shocks" the heart. The device is placed on the chest and a jolt of electric shock is sent to the heart. This type of a shock can help with an irregular rhythmic heart beat and help result in a normal heartbeat. These are specifically used for cardiac arrest which occurs when the heart looses function quickly, function being a normal “beat.” Cardiac arrest can lead to death in just a few minutes if something is not done about it; like using an AED machine. When a person goes into cardiac arrest, essentially it results from ventricular fibrillation. This term might sound a little scary, but ultimately it’s a rapid and uneven heart beat that starts in the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). When this happens, the heart must be defibrillated quickly to lessen the chance of death. Mind you AED is not a miracle worker, it’s just a helper along the way to try and get the heart restarted.
Where AED’s are placed?
Beyond just at home or in a hospital, there are many locations where you might find an automated external defibrillator. You can find these in public areas such as amusement park nurse stations, sports arenas, airports and transportation complexes, old folk’s homes, in the back of ambulances and some fire trucks, doctors’ offices and any other place where large numbers of people may be present.
Requirements for AED Usage
Ultimately, anyone can use an AED device, however, if you do have an AED device or you are using one you should have watched a training video about the device, as well as took an AED training class. These classes are available to anyone, via the American Heart Association. They offer CPR and AED training via training centers across the world. On the other hand if you are using this on a person, they have requirements as well; bras with under wire should be removed, piercings to the torso should also be removed to avoid things like interference of the machine. It used to be that these machines took a little more forethought and training, but these days with the introduction of AUTOMATIC external defibs, almost anyone can use one without any issues.
Are These Safe To Use?
Of course any medical device has its benefits and disadvantages, but an AED machine is extremely safe to use. Essentially the jolt of electric shock is programmed so that it goes from one "pad" to another via the victim’s chest. But, basic safeguards can be used to warn other people that are nearby to move away such as saying clear or move away and making sure you visually check the area before you use the AED. This will ensure that no one in the vicinity is touching the victim and therefore no one will get hurt by the machine. You will also need to make sure you are not touching any part of the victim, besides the AED itself which is placed on the chest of the victim. In instances of SCA (sudden cardiac arrest) it’s easy to get frazzled, but just pay attention to what you are doing, where your hands, knees and legs are as well as those around you and everything will be fine when you use the AED system.