What's an AED?

A Client recently called to obtain information on AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators). In order to determine how information she needed I asked my typical first question, "How much do you know about AEDs." Her answer, "Very little" suggested that more education is necessary about this livesaving tool.

How the Heart Functions

Your heart is a muscle that when it contracts squeezes blood out. Some of this blood goes to the lungs to get oxygen and some carries oxygenated (blood with oxygen in it) to the body. When the heart relaxes deoxygenated blood (blood with very little oxygen in it) flows in from the body and oxygenated flows in from the lungs.

What makes the Heart contract is an electrical impulse that the heart itself generates. This electrical impulse is what you see when you look at an ECG (heart monitor).

Electrical problems in the heart

When a person suffers a heart attack this can cause the hearts electrical system to not work properly and cause the heart to not pump efficiently. Usually the heart will go into two arrhythmia (incorrect electrical activity). When this happens, the heart cannot circulate blood (and in turn the oxygen in it).

The AED saves the day

If an AED is applied to a person with these arrhythmias it will analyze the heart and when it finds these arrhythmias will advise the user that a shock needs to be applied. It will charge up and wait for the user to press the "shock" button. This shock is designed to stop all electrical activity in the heart and wait for the hearts nomal electrical rhythm to start.

Only good can come from this

Using an AED is safe. If you were to appy the AED to person with no heart difficuly the AED would not allow you to shock them.

What about CPR?

If the AED is so valuable then what about CPR? CPR is a valuable tool to be used with an AED. CPR with circulate oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. The new AED protocols (the procedure that the AED follows) requires CPR be performed for 2 minutes between shock attempts.

Simple. Safe. Effective

Using an AED is simple, safe and effective. In June 2007 the Province of Ontario deregulated the use of AEDs so that anyone regardless of whether they are trained or not can use an AED without being concerned about being sued.

Get the box. Get trained.

This makes saving a life easier. As an employer you can save your employees by purchasing an AED and getting your staff trained in AEd/CPR and First Aid. As a commercial landlord installing an AED should be viewed as installing a fire extinguisher.

First Aid Ottawa can assist you in make your AED purchase decision to ensure you get the right model for your needs. We also provide all the required training. Check out our website at www.FirstAidOttawa.com or call us at 613-225-2727.