Automated External
Defibrillators
Nearly 250,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac
arrest each year. Once a victim is in cardiac arrest, heart
muscle becomes ineffective and is beyond rescue within
10-12 minutes. In most cases, a “rescue” is possible with
defibrillation—an action that stops an uncontrolled
heart rhythm and allows the normal one to resume.
When the heart’s rhythm goes into an uncoordinated
electrical activity called fibrillation, the heart cannot
pump blood and severe heart attacks often occur. The
victim’s chance of survival decreases by 7 to 10 percent
for each minute that passes without defibrillation. After
10 minutes, there is generally little hope for saving the
victim. Experts estimate that 100,000 lives could be
saved each year if AEDs were widely used.
Without the aid of an automated external defibrillator,
commonly known as an AED, the chances of surviving
a sudden cardiac arrest are 1 in 20. With an AED,
however, chances of survival improve dramatically to
1 in 3. Many safety and health associations strongly
encourage businesses and organizations to establish
AED programs in their facilities. AED use is an
important step in reducing time to defibrillation and
improving the sudden cardiac arrest survival rate of
employees and the public.
AED Functions and Operation
An AED is a device that administers an electric shock
through the chest wall to the heart. Built-in computers
assess the patient’s heart rhythm, determine if
defibrillation is needed and administer the appropriate
level of shock. Audible and visual prompts guide users
through the process, so they need not fear forgetting
how to use the AED during an emergency situation.
Since the AED analyzes the victim’s heart rhythm and
advises whether or not a shock is needed, the operator
is not faced with the decision of how to correctly
administer emergency care.
AEDs do not
always resuscitate
someone in
cardiac arrest; they
treat only a heart
in ventricular
fibrillation—an
irregular heart
rhythm. In cardiac
arrest without
ventricular
fibrillation, the
heart does not respond to electrical currents and,
instead, needs medication. If an AED shock is not
advised, CPR needs to be started immediately.
AEDs are also less successful when the victim has
been in cardiac arrest for more than a few minutes,
especially if cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
has not been administered.
Where Should AEDs be Provided?
AEDs should be located in places where large groups
of people gather and the risk of a sudden cardiac arrest
incident is very likely. AEDs can currently be found
in corporate offices, shopping malls, airports, sports
stadiums, schools and community centers. The number
of devices in the community will continue to grow
as more and more people begin to understand the
importance of AEDs and AED training. The American
Red Cross has a vision of all Americans being within 4
minutes of an AED and someone trained to use it, in the
event of cardiac arrest. All businesses and organizations
should seriously consider purchasing an AED and
providing CPR and AED training to multiple employees.
Continued
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Automated External
Defibrillators
According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
rules, a physician’s prescription is needed to purchase
an AED. This means that the medical director of
a facility or a physician used by such facility must
prescribe and oversee an AED program at any
workplace or other facility that houses an AED. The
cost of an AED varies among manufacturers, but
averages about $3,000 per unit. This is a small price to
pay for the comfort of knowing that victims of sudden
cardiac arrest are nearly 7 times as likely to survive.
Cardiac Chain of Survival
AED Training
Step 4. Early advanced life support as needed
Although AEDs are designed for ease of use, training
is necessary to understand the role of defibrillation in
the broader context of the cardiac chain of survival.
Training in CPR and AED enables the rescuer to use all
the steps in the cardiac chain of survival, significantly
increasing the victim’s chance of survival.
The third step, delivering an electric shock to
the heart, or defibrillation, is recognized as the
most critical step in restoring cardiac rhythm and
resuscitating a victim of sudden cardiac arrest.
Without the use of an AED, early defibrillation is
generally not possible. For each minute that passes
without defibrillation, the victim’s chances of survival
decrease by nearly 10 percent.
Organizations such as the American Heart Association
and American Red Cross can be contacted regarding
CPR and AED training classes. These organizations
generally offer half-day courses that teach CPR and AED
skills and comprehensive, daylong sessions that also
include first aid training. It is important that rescuers be
trained in both CPR and AED, since both are required in
the cardiac chain of survival. Most CPR training courses
now routinely incorporate AED training, due to the
increasing presence of AEDs in the community.
In most cases, EMTs and first responders (police and
firefighters) are required to know how to use an AED
as part of their job responsibilities. All 50 states now
have AED Good Samaritan provisions that help protect
rescuers. Additional information regarding Good
Samaritan protection can be obtained from local or
state emergency medical services’ (EMS) departments.
The previously mentioned cardiac chain of survival is
the current treatment for victims of sudden cardiac
arrest. This series of four critical steps must be
followed to help ensure survival.
Step 1. Early access to emergency care (calling 911 or
another emergency number)
Step 2. Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Step 3. Early defibrillation
For Additional Information
American Heart Association:
www.americanheart.org
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
Occupational Safety & Health Administration:
www.osha.gov
• Technical Information Bulletin – AEDS
Home Office: 717 Mulberry • Des Moines, IA 50309 • 800-447-2295 • www.emcins.com
Disclaimer: This material is designed and intended for general information purposes only, and is not intended, nor shall be construed or relied upon, as specific legal advice.
©Copyright Employers Mutual Casualty Company 2010. All rights reserved. Image courtesy of National Institutes of Health.
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