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aedlifepower — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:03:13 CDT

Overview

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED), sometimes referred to as an automatic external defibrillator, is a portable, self-contained electronic device that is designed to be used by laypeople or minimally-trained rescuers to diagnose potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias including ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, and then deliver a specific electrical shock known as defibrillation accross the victim's chest to interrupt the arrhythmia, and allow an effective heart rhythm to resume.

In recent years, advances in technology and design have made defibrillators easy to operate for people with little training. Modern AEDs are safe, easy to use, effective, and reliable. The defibrillator will only permit a shock to be delivered if a specific, irregular heart rhythm is detected. It will not allow a shock to be delivered if one is not needed.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death across the world, striking more than millions of individuals each year. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, to anyone, at any time - without warning, without symptoms, and regardless of age or general health. People who suffer sudden cardiac arrest usually do not know in advance that they are vulnerable to this fatal condition.

Cause of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

SCA is most often caused by ventricular fibrillation (VF), an irregular, quivering heart rhythm. The victim stops breathing, and no pulse is present. Defibrillation, an electric shock to the heart, is the only effective treatment for VF, stopping the chaotic activity and allowing a coordinated heart rhythm to resume. SCA can be caused by electrical shock, allergic reaction, drug overdose, suffocation, drowning, heart attack (myocardial infarction), or, in many cases, for no apparent reason.

Application:

Automated External Defibrillator is used to deliver a specific electrical shock to the heart. This shock stops the uncoordinated electrical activity of the heart, and allows the return of the heart's regular rhythm and pulse. Use of AED is the only definitive treatment for sudden cardiac arrest, and time is very critical.

Facts and Figures:

Surviving SCA is largely dependent on how quickly the patient is defibrillated. For each minute that defibrillation is delayed, the victim's chance of survival decreases by seven to ten percent. The patient suffers irreversible brain damage within 4 to 6 minutes after cardiac arrest. After 10 minutes, few victims of SCA survive. The American Heart Association estimates that an additional 40,000 lives could be saved each year with widespread access to defibrillators

References:

AED Cabinet
AED Wall Cabinet
AED Cabinet
AED Wall Cabinet

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