When it comes to saving lives, there's no time to waste. That's why the makers of defibrillators have designed them to be as easy to use as possible. You see, everyone can learn how to save a life with a defibrillator, including YOU. In this article we'll give you some tips on how to use a defibrillator and what you should do if you find yourself in an emergency situation.
What Is A Defibrillator?
A defibrillator is a device that can be used to treat life-threatening cardiac episodes. It is designed to deliver an electric shock to the heart, which can restart the heart if it's in fibrillation or otherwise unable to generate a normal heartbeat on its own.
A defibrillator can be useful for treating sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). SCA is a condition where the heart suddenly stops beating and doesn't pump blood around the body. VF and VT are abnormal heart rhythms where the heart continues to beat but cannot pump blood around the body effectively. If not treated promptly, SCA leads to death within minutes.
The main purpose of a defibrillator is to stop SCA before it causes irreversible brain damage or loss of life.
How Do Defibrillators Work?
Defibrillation involves delivering an electrical shock between two electrodes placed on the chest wall. The pads are connected to the defibrillator by wire leads. When the defibrillator detects an irregular heartbeat, it delivers a high-energy electrical shock through the pads in order to restore normal heart rhythm.
How To Use A Defibrillator
We must all be prepared for medical emergencies. Having an AED around can be life-saving, especially for individuals who have the potential to experience a SCA. The key is being able to use it when you need to most, so become familiar with your AED and its operation now!
Here are the steps to follow:
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Check the victim’s airway, breathing and pulse. If they are not breathing, start CPR immediately. Call 911 for an ambulance and get someone to locate the AED;
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Open up the AED case and remove the instructions from inside it. There will be an electrodes attached to the end of the unit; adhere this to the victim’s chest.
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Follow all instructions the AED provides quickly but calmly. The device will analyze your actions and tell you what to do next, or will administer a shock automatically.
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AEDs are automated and will provide you with comprehensive voice prompts/ directions on how to use them correctly. Follow these instructions until help arrives or until you have successfully resuscitated your loved one!
In short, AEDs are lifesavers and should be used with all the intentions to do so. But more than that, they're also very easy to learn how to operate and can be used by the average bystander.
You Could Save A Life By Buying An AED
Hopefully, we've inspired you to look into buying an AED. There are many options when it comes to making this potentially lifesaving move, so don't worry if you're not sure how to get started. Just remember that an AED could be the difference between life and death for someone in the future—and that's definitely worth exploring.
