Instructions For Using An AED Defibrillator
The modern defibrillator is an important piece of lifesaving emergency medical equipment. Doctors and emergency medical technicians cannot always get to us when we need help or in the timeframe we need their help.
That’s where the defibrillator comes in. These emergency devices are simple to use but can be lifesaving. If you are reading this, it is likely because you want to learn how to use a defibrillator, commonly shortened to an AED.
An AED is an Automated External Defibrillator. An AED gives the heart an electric shock when it stops beating and suffers a cardiac arrest.
When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, they suddenly stop breathing and lose consciousness. That’s it. They are gone. There is nothing you can do to save them if you don’t know how to provide CPR. This moment is deadly and highly likely to kill the patient if they don’t receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). There is only one chance to use the defibrillator, and you must use it correctly for it to work and be effective.
How To Use A Defibrillator: A Basic Guide To AEDs
Defibrillators are meant to be used in emergency situations when someone is in cardiac arrest. They are not to be used as a normal medical device or applied to anyone who has not suffered a suspected cardiac arrest. They are designed only to monitor heart activity and deliver a shock that might restart a heart in an emergency by a First Aid responder until professional medical help arrives.
As a defibrillator user, ideally, you will have taken the time to undertake a First Aid Course and learned how to use an AED. This should be done before you need it so that you are comfortable using it in an emergency. Of course, we all know that life throws curve balls and things happen when you least expect them to present. While having knowledge of using an AED is the ideal, the system was designed and created to be used by anyone who can follow simple verbal instructions given by the automated voice that tells you exactly what to do and where to place the pads.
Anyone Can Use A Defibrillator
Anyone old enough to understand and follow voice commands, even children as young as seven, can use an AED. An AED is an Automated External Defibrillator. An AED gives the heart an electric shock when it stops beating and suffers a cardiac arrest. An AED can be used on anyone over the age of one (1) year. You do not need to worry about using the machine incorrectly. The system was specifically designed to give visual and voice prompts to guide you through each step. So long as you listen to and do what the voice prompts tell you to do, you cannot do anything wrong.
How To Use A Defibrillator In An Emergency
What should you do if you see someone having a cardiac arrest? Call 000. DRSABCD
Once the AED device is beside you, open it by pushing the yellow button or lifting the lid.
The machine will beep, and then a voice will instruct you to dial 000 emergency services ‘Now’.
It will then tell you to remove any clothing from the chest area, giving you free access to the entire torso to apply the pads and perform CPR.
It will then tell you to pull on the red handle. Doing so will release the two pads with pictures on them. It doesn’t matter what order you place them on the body, only that you follow the voice commands.
At this point, it will instruct you to remove the blue backing on the first pad and place the pad on the body in exactly the same way the picture shows it on the pad. It will then tell you to do the same for the second pad. You must press the pads down firmly to ensure a clean contact and the pads stick to the skin. Particularly firmly if the chest is hairy.
The machine will then show two flashing red lights that turn green when the pads are correctly positioned. It will warn you and anyone else to stop touching the body and wait while it assesses the heart and decides if the heart needs to be shocked or not.
If the heart does not need to be shocked, the machine will tell you to commence Chest compressions and CPR. Every so often, it will beep and tell you to clear all people away from the body while it scans the heart and decides what to do next. Just follow the machine prompts until help arrives.
If the AED decides to shock the heart, it will tell you to clear the body and then deliver the shock. At this point, it will tell you to commence CPR as above. It will beep and tell you to stop CPR and allow it to assess the heart for further shocks if needed. Then it will give you the next directive to continue with CPR.
Under no circumstances do you remove the pads! The AED will constantly monitor the heart for electrical activity and give you the appropriate instructions to follow. That is all there is to this amazing, potentially lifesaving device.
We highly recommend you take a First Aid Course and watch the linked videos for a visual demonstration of this product and how to perform CPR on an adult, child and infant.
AEDs Are Lifesaving Devices
Knowing how to use an AED and what to do when you have one to use in an emergency is crucial. It could mean the difference between life and death. Know CPR. Knowing how to do CPR is a vital skill every man, woman and child should have from a young age. Know where the nearest defibrillator to you is located. The best way to do this is to print off a map of the area showing the location of each device in your workplace or sports club.
Conclusion
An AED is an important piece of medical equipment. However, it should only be used in emergencies for cardiac arrest. If you are First Aid trained, you will want to ensure that you do everything possible to save the person’s life. If you have never taken a First Aid course, now is the time to bone up and broaden your skills and knowledge of basic First Aid.
Who knows what the world will look like five years from now. Do you want to be one of the people who can treat most issues in an emergency, or one of the bystanders who are helpless to help themselves or anyone else?
We take having access to medical treatment for granted in this country. As a result, society becomes complacent. Would you rather be a survivor or a statistic? The choice is yours alone. First Aid Course Experts offers a range of First Aid courses in over 120 locations Australia-wide. Visit our FACE Blog page for inspiration, motivation and to improve your First Aid general knowledge skills while exploring the website.
