What Is A Defibrillator?
The word defibrillator derives from defibrillation, the technical name for spontaneous or artificial defibrillation. A defibrillator, in turn, is a device used to detect and analyze electrical impulses produced by the heart. Upon detection of such an irregularity, a defibrillator administers an electric shock of appropriate amplitude and duration to restore normal heart rhythm. Such devices are often referred to as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
How Does A Defibrillator Work?
Defibrillation is a treatment for life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), such as ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). These arrhythmias are caused by an electrical disturbance in the heart's lower chambers (ventricles). If not corrected immediately, they can cause sudden cardiac arrest — when the heart stops beating unexpectedly — which leads to death within minutes without medical intervention.
Defibrillators work by providing an electric shock to stop abnormal heart rhythms. This can be done without surgery by using pads (also known as electrodes, or electrode pads) placed on the chest of a person in cardiac arrest. The pads are connected to an AED, which will analyze the patient's heart rhythm, and if it is abnormal, deliver an electric shock through the pads.
Using The Defibrillator Pads
The pads themselves are flat pads, often made from plastic or rubber with an adhesive gel surface on which to place them on someone's chest. They are connected to a defibrillator that assesses a person's heart rhythm and shocks it if needed. AEDs work by running a series of tests to determine what treatment they need such as giving them CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or delivering electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Can Anyone Use An AED?
Anyone can use an AED. They are easy to operate and the device will guide you through the steps. You do not need medical training or a CPR certification to use one.
Most people are more comfortable to call 911 and have trained medical professionals come to the scene. However, there are times when using an AED is necessary before paramedics arrive, such as in cases of cardiac arrest.
If you're afraid of hurting someone by using an AED, don't be! The device does all of the work for you, so all you have to do is follow its instructions.
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