Why are they so important?
A AED can make the difference between life and death if used quickly. Current UK survival rates for someone going in to cardiac arrect is 6%, this could increase to nearly 80% if an AED is used within 2 minutes of the collpase.
When can they be used?
On anyone who is unresponsive and not breathing. This could be caused by a number of medical conditions, mainly Heart Attack.
What could I do if I used the device incorrectly?
The device is designed to be used by anyone, with or without first aid / CPR training or experience. The device will only shock if it detects an irregular heart rhythm, so a AED is available the advice isto use it.
How do I use an AED / Defibrillator?
The device talks to you, and tells you exactly what to do, and the pads clearly show where they should be placed. Follow what the AED tells you to do, and place the pads on the body where pictures show you.
Once the device is switched on, and the pads are placed on the casualties bare chest, the AED will tell you to stand clear of the casualty and check for an irregular heart rhythm.
No Heart rhythm detected: No shock advised, commence CPR if necessary
Irregular Heart rhythm detected: Shock advised, follow vocal and visual signs to shock casualty
Normal Hearth Rhythm: No shock advised, continue CPR if necessary.
Once a shock is / isn’t delivered commence CPR as normal based on vital signs of casualty. After 2 minutes the AED will recheck the casualty, and ask you to stand clear to allow it to do so, and then will give the 3 possible outcomes above.
Continue using the AED is it tells you, until emergency response arrives.
When do I call for Emergency Response?
Ensure you have called 999 immediatly when finding a casualty with a serious injury or illness, as discribed in our advice in articles below.
