AED

An AED, also known as an Automated External Defibrillator, is a device that can be used to treat a person who has ventricular fibrillation arrhythmias and ventricular tachycardia - applying electricity to stop this arrythmia.

What is an Arrythmia?

An arrythmia is an irregular rytm of the heart, dangerous as it can lead to Cardiac ArrestCardiac ArrestSudden Cardiac Arrest is when all heart activity is lost, due to an irregular heart rhythm, and breathing stops. At this point, you must start CPR and use an AED. if available. This is not the same as a Heart Attack, as this is completely sudden. However, a heart attack can lead to a change in rhythm that leads to cardiac arrest. - which is not the same as an Heart AttackHeart AttackA Heart Attack, also called a myocardial infarction, is when fatty cholesterol-containing deposits clog your arteries leading to your heart. These deposits, also called plaque, can start building up. If plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form. This clot can block the arteries, causing a heart attack. During this heart attack, blood flow to the heart is interrupted. Since the heart is a constantly beating muscle, without blood, it will start dying, with the tissue dying. This is not the same as a, though they sound similar. An arrest is described as a heart that has suddenly stopped beating, whilst an attack is if the heart has lost blood flow or has impeded blood flow to it.

So, what does it do?

An AED has two electrical pads that must be connected to the person. AEDs generally contain shears and gloves to quickly cut open the victim. AEDs are made to be used by trained operators AND people with no operating knowledge such as a bystander. AEDs are NOT a substitude for CPR, which should be performed immediately and continously while the person is down and no rhythm is detected.

Analysis

An AED analyzes the heart's rhythm, and determines if it needs to be shocked.

Shocking

AEDs have internal batteries that are used to shock the victim. These batteries charge to an internal capacitor; with most modern AEDs charging in a step up pattern: initially to 200 joules twice, 300J, then 360J afterward. Each time the AED determines a shockable rhythm, the rescuer generally has to press a button to shock. This is because the AED needs the patient to be clear of ALL other people touching the victim before shocking.

After these two steps, the AED repeats the process until help arrives

AED's come with voice prompts, and newer models can rate the compressions of the rescuer and may also be able to provide more help. They also have memory of the time of opening and what they analyzed to be recovered at a later point.