AED and CPR: A Life-Saving Combination during Cardiac Arrest
Automated external defibrillators (AED) are devices that are used hand-in-hand during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They are able to detect the sudden occurrence of cardiac arrest, and thus, activates during such critical times. Not to be used solely to treat the situation, they must be utilised during CPR so the patient would have a higher chance of surviving.
If you are curious to know more about AED, the following information may help you understand more about its functionality and why it must be used in tandem with CPR.
How it Works
An AED is an automatic device that will be able to detect the abnormalities of the cardiac rhythm that the patient is experiencing. This will happen with the use of electrodes placed on the patient's body. Once this is done, the AED will also be able to indicate the necessary treatment that is needed.
If the machine detects a shockable rhythm, the AED will automatically deliver it as a way to alleviate the patient's condition.
There are also some models of AEDs that can provide constant monitoring of the patient's rhythm once the joules have been given.
Why is it Used During CPR?
A CPR involves the use of chest compressions and breathing done by a person performing this procedure. If this is done by a single person, having an AED during such a procedure is possible since they will be made aware of the victim's cardiac rhythm.
Since not all people are able to perform CPR, having an AED during this procedure can help increase the chances of a person's survival.
CPR is said to only be able to provide a 15% chance of survival, while the use of an AED during this procedure may increase this chance to 50%.
How to Use an AED
As previously mentioned, an AED should be used in collaboration with CPR. This means that when the AED detects the sudden occurrence of cardiac arrest, the CPR should be started immediately. Once the AED has given the joules of the electric shock, the patient should then be turned on their side so that the CPR will continue to be done more safely.
If the patient is still experiencing a heartbeat, the CPR will be continued to save them from any possible organ damage caused by their sudden cardiac arrest.
That said, the use of an AED during cardiopulmonary resuscitation will mean that the patient is more likely to survive, and thus, is more likely to live a normal life.
Conclusion
Using an AED in tandem with cardiopulmonary resuscitation may provide a better chance of survival for the patient. With its automatic nature, the machine will detect a sudden occurrence of cardiac arrest. Thus, it will be able to respond to this situation by giving an electric shock and continuing the procedure of CPR until the patient is saved.
When the patient has been given the appropriate amounts of electric shock, CPR should be resumed to continue circulating oxygen through the body, increasing their chance of survival.
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