|
Defibrillation Overview
In the time it takes you to read this
information, sudden cardiac arrest
(SCA) will have claimed another victim.
Statistics show that more than 200,000
Americans die of sudden cardiac arrest every
year. Up to 50,000 of these deaths could
have been prevented if someone had initiated
the Cardiac Chain of Survival, and an
automated external defibrillator
(AED) had been available for
immediate use at the time of the emergency.
The American Red Cross has a vision
of one person in every household being
trained in First Aid and CPR
lifesaving skills, and all Americans being
within four minutes of an AED and
someone trained to use it in the event of
sudden cardiac arrest.
All American Red Cross Adult and
Child CPR courses contain
defibrillation skills and information.
We invite you to learn more about the
technology and training that could save the
life of a co-worker, family member or a
friend by contacting S.A.F.E.
Frequently Asked
Questions
What is an AED
program?
An AED program is a plan that can be
developed in a workplace, school, or
community environment, or in places where
large groups of people gather.
What
is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?
Sudden cardiac arrest cases are usually due
to abnormal heart rhythms called
arrhythmias, the vast majority of which are
ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular
fibrillation is a condition in which the
heart's electrical impulses suddenly become
chaotic, causing the heart to cease pumping
blood effectively. Victims of SCA collapse
and quickly lose consciousness, often
without warning. Unless a normal heart
rhythm is restored, death will follow within
a matter of minutes.
The cause of sudden cardiac arrest is not
well understood. Many victims have no
history of heart disease, or if heart
disease is present, it has not functionally
impaired them. Unlike a heart attack, which
is the death of muscle tissue from loss of
blood supply, many victims of SCA have no
prior symptoms. SCA can strike anyone, at
any time, anywhere.
How common is
SCA and who is at risk?
SCA is one of the leading causes of death in
the United States. It strikes more than
200,000 Americans each year: nearly one
death every two minutes.
What is the current
treatment for sudden cardiac arrest?
The cardiac chain of survival is the current
treatment for sudden cardiac arrest.
What is the cardiac chain of survival?
The cardiac chain of survival is a series of
four critical steps. All four steps of the
chain must be present to help ensure
survival from sudden cardiac arrest. The
four steps are:
-
Step one: Early access to care (calling
9-1-1 or another emergency number)
-
Step two: Early cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR)
-
Step three: Early defibrillation
-
Step four: Early advanced cardiac life
support, as needed
The third step, delivering an electrical
shock to the heart, which is known as
defibrillation, is recognized as the most
critical step in restoring cardiac rhythm
and resuscitating a victim of SCA.
Back to Top
What is an automated
external defibrillator (AED)?
An AED is a device about the size of a
laptop computer that analyzes the heart's
rhythm for any abnormalities and, if
necessary, directs the rescuer to deliver an
electrical shock to the victim. This shock,
called defibrillation, may help the heart to
reestablish an effective rhythm of its own.
How does an AED
work?
An AED is easy to operate. It uses voice
prompts to instruct the rescuer. Once the
machine is turned on, the rescuer will be
prompted to apply two electrodes provided
with the AED to the victim's chest. Once
applied, the AED will begin to monitor the
victim's heart rhythm. If a "shockable"
rhythm is detected, the machine will charge
itself and instruct the rescuer to stand
clear of the victim and to press the shock
button.
If an AED is so easy
to use, why do I need training?
Training is necessary in order to understand
the role of defibrillation in the broader
context of the cardiac chain of survival.
Training in CPR and AED skills will enable
the rescuer to use all the steps in the
cardiac chain of survival, thereby
significantly increasing the victim's chance
of survival.
Back to Top
Please see our
Schedule
for dates and times of our various certification classes. |
