The Acceptance of an AED

The American Heart Association approximates 250,000 victims annually; The United States Federal Government approximates 350,000 victims annually. No matter what statistics one is to review the numbers are staggering, approximately 700 to1000 people per day die and become fallen victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). This article will define the main underlying cause of SCA. Why it is important to have public access to AEDs. What automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are and how an AED works. Finally, this article will look at what is being done to increase the deployment of AEDs, creating heartsafe communities throughout the United States.

SCA often occurs without warning and is typically caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called Ventricular Fibrillation (VF). The only known way to treat VF is via defibrillation. It has been proven that early access to defibrillation within three minutes of a SCA can increase a person’s chance of survival significantly. Communities with public access to defibrillation report survival rates as high as 65% as compared to the national average of l0% without public access to defibrillation. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival decreases up to 10%. After 10 minutes, resuscitations are rarely successful.

Many people will argue that they do not need AEDs in their facility because the Paramedics are located across the street. The question then arises, what happens if the paramedics are on another call? The average national response time for EMS is 9.5 minutes. By that time the SCA victim has nearly no chance of survival even if CPR has been initiated. Less than 5% of SCA victims survive with CPR only and no defibrillation.

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a medical device that can analyze a person’s heart rhythm and determine whether that person is in a shockable rhythm such as ventricular fibrillation (VF). If VF is present, the device will prompt the lay rescuer to initiate --- with the push of a button --- an electrical shock across the victim’s heart, resetting the heart’s own internal electrical pacemaker, allowing for a return of normal sinus rhythm.

All AEDs have 3 main components: a central processor, a battery, and electrode pads. All AEDs utilize a biphasic waveform which allow the units to defibrillate at lower energy levels; therefore, decreasing the chance of increased damage to the myocardium. AEDs are easy to use and safe. AEDs should provide both audio and visual prompts to guide lay rescuers through each step. The AEDs analytical processor will only recommend a shock to a person in a shockable rhythm.

It is a sad fact that most people do not take action until they have to. Luckily, state by state, throughout the United Sates, legislation is being passed requiring AEDs to be present in certain venues. For instance, the Rhode Island Attorney General was the first in the US to mandate that all health & athletic facilities have an AED in place by January 2005. Other states are beginning to follow suite. Also, legislation is being passed

Both studies were too small to detect whether survival rates were different because of flawed and optimal CPR. But, Becker said, "it only makes sense that better CPR would make more of a difference."

placing the same requirements in schools, medical facilities, corporate facilities, and public venues. The passing of Good Samaritan Laws in all fifty states has also helped with the acceptance and deployment of AEDs throughout the US.

Only through public education and awareness will full acceptance and AED deployment be successful. Also, it must be stressed that a SCA victim has the greatest chance of survival with the combination of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation. Organizations such as the American Heart Association have CPR/AED training in almost every community across the US; making CPR/AED training simple, affordable, and effective for the average person or lay rescuer.

In conclusion, SCA is one of the leading causes of death within the United States and the chance of survival can be increased dramatically with access to early defibrillation. AEDs are simple, safe, and easy to use. Protection via Good Samaritan Legislation should curb concerns of liability which may stop some lay-rescuers from utilizing the AEDs. State by state legislation requiring certain community venues to be equipped with AEDs and public education both dramatically aid in the deployment of AEDs within the US. A SCA victim has the greatest chance of survival with a combination of CPR and early defibrillation in less than 3 minutes, well under the national average EMS response time.