“The
successful resuscitation of a patient in cardiac arrest outside the hospital
depends on the chain of survival including early access, early CPR, early
defibrillation, and early ACLS [Advanced Cardiac Life Support]. Early defibrillation includes the
recognition and treatment of ventricular fibrillation, the most common lethal
electrical disturbance in the heart, and other rhythms. The AED allows fro early defibrillation
and higher-level care to patients much sooner from basic life support
providers. Defibrillation is the
primary intervention that makes the greatest difference in survival of cardiac
arrest patients.” (EMT-Basic
Textbook, Mosby, 1996). Below you
will find the step-by-step procedures for operating the AED. There is no theory, just the
steps. Again, this is NOT a
substitute for formal hands-on training, but for information as a memory refresher.
h
Assess ABC’s as
with CPR.
h
Perform CPR until AED is attached.
·
If you are the only rescuer, attach AED first.
·
Most AED have voice instructions that will walk you through
each step to be performed.
·
Place right pad on upper right chest, left pad on lower right
chest.
·
Plug pads into AED unit
h
Stop CPR, press “Analyze”.
h
Shock patient by pressing “Shock” button(s).
·
Ensure no one is touching the patient by saying “Clear” and
visually checking to see that no one is in contact with patient. If anyone is touching patient when shocks are
delivered, that person will receive a shock as well.
·
May repeat shocks two times more for a total of three in a row.
·
If AED advised “no shock indicated”, check pulse, continue CPR
for 1 minute, recheck pulse and reanalyze.
h
Check pulses.
·
If present, reassess ABC’s and await medical assistance.
·
If absent, continue CPR for 1 minute.
o Check pulse again
o If absent,
re-analyze rhythm and deliver three more shocks as indicated
o Check pulse
o If absent, continue
CPR until medical assistance arrives.
