Do you know what to do in a life-threatening situation? Two life-saving techniques that everyone should know are AEDs and CPR! AEDs, or automated external defibrillators, can shock a person’s heart back to a normal rhythm if they’re experiencing cardiac arrest.
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a manual technique that helps pump blood to the body’s vital organs when someone’s heart stops beating. Knowing these techniques could make all the difference in saving someone’s life!
It’s true that during a cardiac arrest, every second counts. Research suggests that the odds of survival decrease by 10% for every minute that passes without treatment. But there’s no need to worry – the dynamic duo of AEDs and CPR can help save lives in these situations.
Using AEDs and CPR to Boost the Survival Rates in Medical Emergencies
CPR helps pump blood to vital organs, which is crucial to keeping someone alive until medical professionals arrive to take over. AEDs, which can shock the heart back to its normal rhythm, are equally important. Using these techniques together increases the chances of survival significantly, offering a glimmer of hope in a critical moment.
So, how do you use AEDs and CPR to save lives in medical emergencies? It all starts with turning on the AED and following the voice prompts. The AED will guide you through placing electrode pads on the person’s chest, then analyze their heart rhythm to determine if a shock is needed. If it is, the AED will instruct you to stand clear and deliver the shock.
When it comes to performing CPR, the first step is to check if the person is responsive. If not, it’s crucial to call for medical help and start CPR immediately. To do so, you’ll need to place the heel of one hand on the person’s chest and the other on top of it, then push down about two inches deep at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute and keep doing it until medical professionals take over. Knowing these techniques can be the difference between life and death.
Benefits of Combining CPR With AED
According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 450,000 Americans yearly die of sudden cardiac arrest. With such staggering numbers in mind, it’s safe to say that cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere at any time.
To help improve the chances of survival for someone in this condition, it’s essential to act fast and get the person the care they need. In such situations, using an automated external defibrillator (AED) and performing chest compression-only CPR together can make all the difference.
Here’s why:
- When used together, AEDs and CPR can significantly increase the chances of survival for someone experiencing a cardiac arrest. This is because CPR helps to keep the person’s vital organs working while the AED shocks the heart back to a normal rhythm.
- AEDs and CPR are two life-saving techniques to be used in emergencies; luckily, they are accessible to everyone. Thanks to technical advancement, AEDs are designed to generate visual and audio guidelines for persons operating the machine, thus minimizing the margins for errors. On the other hand, CPR classes are outlined to be straightforward and easily accessible to anyone.
- Knowing how to use AEDs and CPR can increase your confidence in responding to medical emergencies, especially cardiac arrest situations, which can be terrifying and stressful. When involved in an SCA, panic is the last thing to do; with proper training, you can be better equipped to respond effectively in such situations.
- Additionally, combining AEDs and CPR reduces the risk of brain damage, which can occur if someone’s brain is deprived of oxygen during a cardiac arrest. By performing CPR and using AEDs together, normal heart function can be restored, reducing further damage.
CPR and AED, a dynamic duo for rescuing hearts, is truly the only combo that can save a life when all else fails or when medical professionals are not on site. Understanding the benefits of these life-saving techniques and getting proper training can equip you with the necessary skills to respond effectively in such crucial situations.
Who’s Susceptible to Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can strike anyone, regardless of age or background. It’s important to know that certain risk factors can make someone more susceptible. Here are the most common ones you should be aware of:
- Heart disease: Underlying heart conditions like coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, and structural abnormalities increase the risk of SCA significantly.
- Family history: Having a family history of SCA or certain inherited heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or long QT syndrome can increase the risk.
- Age: The older you are, the higher the risk of SCA. Individuals over 45 years old are particularly at risk.
- Gender: Men are more likely to suffer from SCA than women.
- Previous cardiac events: If you have previously experienced a heart attack or arrhythmias or have been a survivor of SCA before, your risk is increased significantly.
- Drug or alcohol abuse: Excessive substance abuse, particularly with stimulant drugs or alcohol consumption, can drastically raise the likelihood of SCA.
- Electrolyte imbalances: Abnormal levels of electrolytes, such as potassium, magnesium, or calcium, can disrupt the heart’s electrical activity and potentially lead to SCA.
- Certain medications: Some medications, particularly certain antiarrhythmics or medications that prolong the QT interval, may increase the risk of SCA.
- Obesity: excessive weight and a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, including SCA.
- High blood pressure: Uncontrolled hypertension can put a strain on the heart and increase the likelihood of SCA.
It is crucial to note that while certain things can raise the risk of SCA, it can still happen to anyone without apparent risk factors. Therefore, everyone should strive to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle, get regular check-ups, and be aware of the signs and symptoms of cardiac distress. This awareness can help save a life when it matters most.
Anyone Can Learn How to Use an AED and Perform CPR
The lifesaving device that is the AED is easy to operate because it is designed to deliver voice commands to guide the operator through the process of shocking a victim’s heart. This particular feature is what makes AEDs easy and straightforward to use.
On the other hand, CPR training courses include AED training. You can easily find a suitable one online, such as the CPR classes offered by the CPR Certification Newport News. In addition, these training courses include BLS classes, which is short for Basic Life Support, and comprise vital techniques and skills that save lives in emergencies. It is performed by trained individuals such as healthcare professionals, first responders, or bystanders with basic life support training. BLS sustains life and maintains vital functions until advanced medical care can be given.
On a positive note, two years ago, on the World’s Restart a Heart Day, Virginians were urged to learn how to perform bystander CPR and learn the importance of CPR in OHCA (out-of-hospital cardiac arrest).
CPR and AED: A Dynamic Duo for Rescuing Hearts, the Final Say
In cases of cardiac arrest, time is of the essence, and a swift reaction can mean the difference between life and death. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) are two of the most crucial life-saving techniques used during such emergencies.
While CPR helps maintain blood flow and oxygenation of vital organs, AED restores the heart’s electrical rhythm. The use of an AED combined with CPR has been shown to increase survival rates significantly. In that context, it is truly paramount to have both these techniques readily available and used together to provide the best possible outcomes for patients experiencing cardiac arrest.
In such a scenario, every second counts, and the faster someone receives CPR and AED treatment, the better their survival odds.
FAQs
Can an AED be wrong?
No, AEDs are accurate. The machine will calculate all the necessary parameters and advice the operator if a shock is advisable.
Do I need to give mouth-to-mouth to a stranger suffering cardiac arrest?
You absolutely don’t have to. In fact, health establishments recommend hands-only CPR, meaning there are no rescue breaths involved.
Should I remove a person’s clothes to do CPR or only when I use an AED?
Removing an SCA victim’s clothes is not required when performing hands-on CPR, as you can do chest compression over their shirt. However, if you use an AED, then yes, the machine will instruct you to remove the person’s clothes so you can place the pads directly on their chest.