Automated External Defibrillators - learn everything you need to know

The AED or automatic external defibrillator is used by a rescuer to deliver a shock to a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s heart to sustain victims until emergency personnel arrive.


Employees can be AED/CPR trained in classes using nationally accredited courses that provide wallet sized 2 year AED/CPR certification cards upon course completion.

AED/CPR training and certification can be easily obtained for free to comply with State law and American Heart Association guidelines.

When you consider the cost of losing your life if you are sudden stricken by cardiac arrest because there is no defibrillator nearby to save you…today’s prices for various models of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are cheap; some model start at $1,000.00!

Procuring an AED could save a life…like a fire extinguisher does. An “immediately available” AED can be the difference between life and death at your business, office, house or apartment.

AEDs are small, lightweight, portable and easy for anyone to use to save a life. AEDs should be purchased for your home and office; some people even store AEDs in their cars. Anyone save a life! Automated external defibrillators are considered easier to use and more effective than CPR in helping cardiac arrest victims.

AED Programs are critical lifesaving plans that are enacted if cardiac arrest occurs at businesses, schools, offices, and residences.

We all want the health and safety of individuals in your place of business or at home to be protected. Millions of lives have been saved by defibrillators.

There are several things to consider when buying an AED:

1. Be sure the device is well maintained according to the owner’s manual
2. Be sure the devices’ voice prompts work and guiding the rescuer through the entire AED/CPR rescue process.
3. Businesses, non-profits, commercial entities, schools, homes should buy inexpensive “automatic operation”, “escalating energy”, adult/child AEDs
4. State laws regulate AEDs for businesses and public facilities but not for residential or home use.
5. Homeowners or residents need only to watch the training video delivered with the AEDs

Invest in Life - Get an AED and AED/CPR Training

I have a few questions for everyone.

Ask a corporation or business owner how much it spends each year on employees and facilities.

Ask homeowners and apartment dwellers how much they spend on mortgage and rent each year.

Ask corporations, businesses, homeowners and apartment dwellers how much time people spend in these very places and how much is spent on their fire extinguisher and automated external defibrillator (AED).

Are we really thinking about the emergency medical situations that occur every day?

...or won’t happen to me?

We spend tens of thousands of dollars on businesses and dwellings; where the US population lives and works.

Lots of these facilities have an extinguisher in case of a fire comparatively few businesses and residences have a “sudden cardiac arrest (SCA is not a heart attack!) plan” to save the lives of the vast population of employees, family members, friends, visitors and contractors we encounter each and every day.

What is life worth?

The answer begs you, when possible; to try to save lives.

AEDs start as low as $1,000 for insurance against a cardiac arrest (not a heart attack!)

Everyone can afford an AED!


A Phillip Heartstart cost around $1,250, while higher end models from Allyn are slightly over $2,300

The manufacturer’s recommendations assure your AED functions properly.

Your AED could save your life!

Does your children’s schools have an AED?

Even children can die from heart failure but the vast majority of parents don’t realize children can be stricken by “sudden cardiac arrest”.

Locating these life saving devices throughout the buildings on the school’s property gives children the ability to receive “immediate defibrillation” and improves their chances of survival.

AEDs should be located within one minute of the victim so defibrillation can take place in less than 3 minutes; giving children immediate therapy can keep them alive until emergency medical services arrives.

In addition to AEDs; the school’s employees should be trained and certified in how to use of an AED and how to administer CPR.

With an AED on hand, employees will be able to directly administer medical assistance until medical professionals arrive.

If your child’s school does not have an AED Program, the school may not be in compliance with State laws. Several states have legislation requiring schools to purchase AEDs and to have trained staff knowledgeable of how to work the AED and how to provide CPR.

The popularity of locating AEDs in school, offices, businesses, homes, apartment buildings, airports, shopping malls is growing rapidly.

Everyone is investing in automated external defibrillators because AEDs, like fire extinguishers; are now clearly essential part of a community’s emergency medical system.

AEDs Changed Sudden Cardiac Arrest Therapy

Early defibrillation via the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is replacing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in importance during the process of reversing “sudden cardiac arrest” (SCA).

Today’s emergency sudden cardiac arrest procedures start by calling 911, then immediately use an AED to defibrillate the victim to restore a normal heartbeat, then perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until emergency medical services (EMS) arrive on scene.

For many years, CPR was the only therapy used when someone's heart went into “fibrillation”… abnormal beating or quivering or worse even stopped.

Now, many experts suggest using automated external defibrillators, first; then provide CPR.

Operating an automatic model AED is much easier to perform than CPR. AEDs are more powerful tools than CPR chest compressions are for restoring the heart’s normal rhythm.

It takes time, strength or stamina to properly perform CPR and get the best results. CPR is difficult because if compressions are done too slowly or too shallow; the heart may not restart on its own.

Increasingly CPR is used to maintain the heart beat after defibrillation.

An easy to use “automatic operation” model AED works by opening the lid and following simple voice commands that instruct the operator. The AED’s software then analyzes the victim and determines whether to deliver a “biphasic” shock to the heart to restore its rhythm.

Today, AED/CPR classes are the teaching standard of nationally accredited organizations (AHA, ARC, ASHI) for employees and students to learn and become certified in the correct methods and techniques of using an automated external defibrillator and giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Lots of corporations, small businesses, non-profits and other commercial entities do not have the staff or time to design, implement, maintain and manage an AED (sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) Program…that is compliant with state and local regulations and linked to the community’s emergency medical system.

No problem: the manufacturers do all the work. including: conducting onsite assessments that determines device placement and the number of AEDs required; AED/CPR Training and Certification; local and state registration, medical direction and oversight; prescription; physician review, downloads, supply replenishment, rescuer support, stress debriefing, 24 hr AED Hotline.

Defibrillation is the recommended method of resuscitation from sudden cardiac arrest. The unit used when a victim is found outside of a hospital requires a portable unit, these are known as external (hence the term EXTERNAL defibrillator)

A pacemaker is an internal defibrillator device, not to be confused with the portable first aid device

Does your children’s schools have an AED

Even children can die from heart failure but the vast majority of parents don’t realize children can be stricken by “sudden cardiac arrest”.

Locating AEDs (automated external defibrillators) throughout the buildings on the school’s property gives children the ability to receive “immediate defibrillation” and improves their chances of survival.

AEDs should be located within one minute of the victim so defibrillation can take place in less than 3 minutes; giving children immediate therapy can keep them alive until emergency medical services arrives.

In addition to AEDs; the school’s employees should be trained and certified in how to use of an AED and how to administer CPR.
With an AED on hand, employees will be able to directly administer medical assistance until medical professionals arrive.

If your child’s school does not have an AED Program, the school may not be in compliance with State laws. Several states have legislation requiring schools to purchase AEDs and to have trained staff knowledgeable of how to work the AED and how to provide CPR.

The popularity of locating AEDs in school, offices, businesses, homes, apartment buildings, airports, shopping malls is growing rapidly.

Everyone is investing in automated external defibrillators because the devices, like fire extinguishers; are now clearly essential part of a community’s emergency medical system.

CERTIFICATION – AED AND CPR TRAINING - KEY PARTS OF A COMPLIANT AED PROGRAM

The AED or automatic external defibrillator is used by a rescuer to deliver a shock to a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s heart to sustain victims until emergency personnel arrive. 

Employee training should be completed before the AEDs you purchase are delivered to your business or office.
 
Employees should be AED/CPR trained in classes using nationally accredited courses that provide wallet sized 2 year AED/CPR certification cards upon course completion.

AED/CPR training and certification are essential parts of AED Programs that comply with State law and American Heart Association guidelines.

I just want to say Thanks! for taking the time to read my hub. I hope you found this hub educational. I do appreciate all comments left. I also want to encourage you to read my other hubs.