How to Use an AED Machine During Cardiac Arrest?
- Dr. Shruti Shah
- 8 hours ago
- 8 min read
Cardiac arrest has become common in India. It is occurring in offices, gyms, homes, and in the streets of such cities as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Bengaluru.
What is more dangerous in this case is that the response to the emergency is delayed. Ambulances usually have difficulties with traffic, and they do not always have time to get to a hospital swiftly.
The initial minutes following a heart attack are very crucial. Unless something is done, the possibility of survival becomes less likely every minute.
That is why the intervention of bystanders starts to play such an important role.
An AED or Automated External Defibrillator is one of the most efficient devices in this case. If you are unfamiliar with it, this simple explanation of what an AED is and how it works will help you understand its role.
The Vital Role of an AED in a Heart Emergency
An AED is a device that is portable and measures the heart rhythm and gives an electric shock where necessary to restore normal heartbeat.
It is made in such a manner that it is safe even for a person who has no medical background to use it.
There are a lot of people who think that they should be trained or certified to touch an AED. Such reluctance usually causes delays.
The device has clear voice instructions, and it takes the user step by step. Have you ever questioned yourself whether you are permitted to use one or not, this guide will provide the answer to why everyone should use an AED.
Easy Steps for Using an AED in Real Time
Clarity is important in times of emergency. Being able to know what is going on will eliminate panic and enable you to move at a faster rate. These are easy and practical steps that are applicable in the real world in India.
STEP 1: Check the Person
Begin by approaching the person safely.
Gently tap their shoulders and speak loudly.
Ask whether they can hear you or not. Take a closer look at the person's chest to see whether they are breathing normally or not. Gasping here and there is not considered normal breathing.
A lack of a reaction and absence of normal breathing indicates that the situation is a cardiac arrest that should be addressed immediately. Waste no time for making further assurances. It is better to act swiftly than to be just right.
STEP 2: Call for Help and Alert Others
Call help immediately you realize that there is cardiac arrest.
Ask any nearby person to call the emergency services immediately. Assist yourself by asking your security or reception personnel in an office to help.
AED can be brought in a short time, and this is normally done by trained personnel in places such as malls or airports.
In case there is no one there, call the emergency services in a speaker mode and proceed to help the person. It is aimed at ensuring that assistance is underway as you start saving lives.
STEP 3: Begin CPR without Delay
CPR should be started even before the arrival of an AED.
Position the heel of one hand at the center of the chest and put your other hand on top of it. Make your arms straight and push hard and fast. The depth must be approximately 5 or 6 centimeters.
Keep the consistent rate of compressions at 100 to 120 per minute. In case you are not sure about the rhythm, consider a fast song rhythm. Allow the chest to come up fully following every push.
CPR should not be halted unless the AED is available to use or the individual demonstrates that he is recovering.
Even simple CPR will keep the oxygen pumped to the brain and heart until an AED is administered.
STEP 4: Turn on the AED and Follow Instructions
Switch the AED on as soon as it comes.
Most of the devices possess an observable power button.
The AED will start providing voice directions immediately after it has been activated. These guidelines are meant to be easy and easy to memorize even in stressful circumstances.
Do not attempt to guess the next step. All one has to do is listen and obey what the machine tells him or her. This will eliminate confusion and you will be doing the right thing.
STEP 5: Prepare the Chest and Attach the Pads
The AED will instruct you to expose the chest.
Take off any type of clothing that covers the chest. In case of a sweaty skin, wipe it dry in order to have the pads sticking on well. The given step is particularly essential in the humid conditions of India.
Take the electrode pads and remove them out of the packet and fit exactly as indicated in the diagram. One pad is placed on the upper right part of the chest and another one on the lower left part.
When it is properly placed, the shock passes through the heart effectively. The AED will not operate properly in case the pads are not fitted in the correct way.
In case you are in charge of maintaining an AED, it is important to know how to replace the pad. This guide explains how to replace AED pads correctly.
STEP 6: Let the AED Analyze the Heart
Once pads have been stuck on, the AED will start examining heart rhythm.
At this stage, it is vital that the individual is not touched by anybody. Even minor movement may disrupt the analysis. Make everyone around stand away.
The device will require a few seconds to determine the need for a shock. Calm down and wait for the instructions.
STEP 7: Deliver the Shock If Advised
In case AED concludes that you require a shock, it will ask you to administer it.
Ensure that the person is not being touched. Shout loudly in case anyone gets everyone to move. When it is clear, press the shock button when asked.
There are AEDs that do not need a button to be pressed in order to provide the shock. In both instances, the equipment is used to deliver the shock in a safe manner.
This is an essential step since the shock has the potential to resume the normal rhythm of the heart and revive the individual at heart attack.
STEP 8: Resume CPR Immediately
It is never a good idea to stop after the shock is delivered. Begin CPR again immediately.
Keep doing chest compressions following the instructions from the AED. The machine will tell you when to stop, and when it is time for another assessment.
This cycle of CPR and AED analyzing shall be done repeatedly until healthcare professionals come, or the patient starts to recover.
Important Reminder
Do not hold on to the arrival of healthcare providers before using an AED. The instrument is made to be utilized instantly.
Acting at the very first minute may well be lifesaving, even if this is your first time using it.
Accessing AEDs and Emergency Services in India
The urgency to alert people about the existence of AEDs is becoming more evident.
It is a well-known fact that a delay in an ambulance coming to the place of an accident happens almost always in cities because of traffic jams.
Even in very well-developed cities, it will not always be possible to come to the hospital very quickly.
This means that intervention by the people who are present at the place before the professionals arrive becomes very important. Also, the use of AEDs in public places is increasing day by day.
Flats, offices, schools, and gyms are some of the places where cardiac arrests happen. However, in many of these places, access to an AED is still not available.
The Good Samaritan Law in India is a law, which protects those who help others during emergencies.
So, if you help, you do not have to worry about legal actions being taken against you, which is something that stops a lot of people from helping.
One more change that causes differences in results is climate change. High temperatures and humidity can cause the AED pads and batteries to get spoiled quickly.
Therefore, the equipment should be maintained in proper condition as far as possible. In non-air-conditioned environments, the units must be checked at regular intervals in order to stay in working condition.
Finding the Best AED for Your Specific Needs
Where and who will be using the AED is a deciding factor when getting one for yourself. Workplaces, homes, and other public areas have different needs.
Some popular AED models in India are:
Philips HeartStart HS1 OnSite AED is a great choice if you want a device that can be used quickly and easily. It is priced at Rs.99,000 and comes with a 5-year warranty.
Philips HeartStart FRx AED is a model that costs Rs.1 20 000 and has a 5-year warranty, designed for use in more rugged environments.
Defibtech Lifeline AED with Rs.1 33 000 price tag offers a 7-year warranty which is quite lengthy along with toughness.
Defibtech Lifeline Auto AED is a fully automated one priced at Rs.1 35 000. Hence, it is easy for users who may be using it for the first time.
Zoll AED Plus costing Rs.1 75 000 besides giving real-time CPR feedback, it also allows the user to perform better compressions with the help of on-screen prompts.
You can also look and compare these devices through this collection of AED brands.
Buy AED India has been making these devices available all over India, delivering over 10,000 AEDs to workplaces, institutions, and homes.
The Benefits of Investing in Personal Heart Safety
Cardiac arrests are not always happening in public places. Many times, those cases are at home, especially with the elderly or people with health conditions.
Having an AED at your home can give you a sense of security, especially in homes where getting immediate medical assistance might not be very easy.
If you are looking at AEDs as an option, this guide on choosing the best affordable AED for home use can aid you to make an informed decision.
Transforming Panic into Preparedness with AED Courses
Despite AEDs being intuitive, training builds a sense of assurance.
People who have been trained in CPR and AED are prepared to respond promptly and appropriately in emergencies. They know how to evaluate the scene, deliver CPR properly, and operate the AED confidently.
Being trained by Think Health™ in India, along with office workers, hospitality workers and security guards, the initiative has also extended to other segments of the population.
Such readiness can actually be a matter of life and death during emergencies.
Your Action Plan for a Heart-Safe Future
Cardiac arrests may occur suddenly, changing a normal day into a potentially fatal one within seconds. In such instances, there is no room for standing idly by. It is time to act.
Having the knowledge of an AED will enable you to be able to go forward rather than step back. Besides, it also gives you the power to stay calm in an emergency situation where your time is limited.
Having the right knowledge of CPR and AED, having quick and easy access to a life-saving AED, and having the courage to take the lead are all essential to saving a person's life.
And if you are interested in learning about the ways to introduce AED in your home, office or community, you may want to visit Buy AED India
Indeed, when it comes to life being on the line only immediate action can save it. Your readiness is actually your biggest weapon.
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