What is an AED and How Does it Work
An Introduction to AED’s
You’ve seen it countless times in movies. A victim lies unresponsive on the ground, someone sticks pads on their chest, yells “clear!” and with a zap, the victim jolts awake. While Hollywood tends to exaggerate quite a bit, this scenario is completely realistic and has saved countless lives. But what exactly is this shocking device and how does it work? Read on to find out.
What is an AED?
An AED or Automatic External Defibrillator is a portable device designed to identify heart problems such as cardiac arrest and neutralize them through a sudden electric shock. You’ve likely walked right past one as they are found in public places and are designed for anyone to use, even without training. This shrinks the amount of time needed to save the lives of victims significantly. Emergency services may respond fast but having a live-saving tool already on hand is vital.
While they are extremely convenient, it’s important to note that AEDs are just one part of much a larger process. When discovering a medical emergency, immediately calling 911 and conducting basic life support procedures cannot be neglected.
AEDs are set up to provide both audio and text-based instruction on how to use them. After turning it on, the AED will literally talk you through the entire process. The next step is to place two pads called electrodes on the victim’s chest. From there, most models will analyze the rhythm of the victim’s heart rhythm and will decide if a shock is needed.
If so, some models will automatically administer the shock without the user hitting a button or switch. The user will need to be sure they aren’t in contact with the victim due to the risk of the shock being transferred to them. For safety, AEDs cannot be activated unless specific heart patterns such as Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation are detected. This prevents
the device from being used on a patient with a normal heartbeat, which would be life-threatening.
With cardiac arrest being such a common cause of death, AEDs are more important than ever. They’re small, lightweight, and portable, making them a handy tool in the EMS field. They have halted countless emergencies and are truly a miracle of technology.
The Science of it:
During cardiac arrest, the heart goes haywire, in a twitching movement called fibrillation, where each valve beats sporadically, super-fast, and out of sync. This makes it impossible to effectively pump blood through the body, including the brain. If not treated immediately, this quickly becomes a lethal scenario. With each minute that passes, the odds of survival can drop up to ten percent! Once the heart stops beating, the AED becomes useless and other CPR measures need to be taken.
Remember: Every. second. counts.
It’s massively important that the pads are correctly placed to ensure the shock travels through the heart. The device will have instructions indicating where to place them. When the AED delivers the shock, it stops the heart for a fraction of a second. From there, the heart does a hard reset and can beat normally again with a clean slate.
A good analogy for this is a time-out in a football game. If a team has been slipping up, they may need to discuss strategy along with a quick pep talk. In the case of a cardiac arrest, the shock is the coach whipping his players (the heart valves) into shape. Whether you’re trying to win the Super Bowl or pump blood through the body, you need a winning strategy.
Where AEDs are used:
Because of the sporadic nature of the cardiac arrest, AEDs are placed in public places so they can be easily reached in an emergency, like fire extinguishers. Locations such as these may include but are not limited to:
- Workplaces
- Schools
- Gyms
- Stores and restaurants
- Hotels
- Arenas and event venues
Overall, AEDs are a fantastic invention that has become a tentpole of EMS technology. They are surprisingly simple, extremely effective, and easy to use. Emergencies can strike anytime and anywhere, but after learning about AEDs, you’ll be much more prepared to use one if the situation arises.
If you’re fascinated with AEDs and would like to get formal training or simply learn about CPR, then check out Idaho Medical Academy! We offer top-of-the-line CPR courses to train the public and healthcare providers for the worst of the worst. These include BLS, PALS, ACLS, PHTLS, first aid, and more! We offer traveling and group classes, providing the highest quality education to make your establishment safer than ever. Give us a call today!
