The use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) is considered to be a big plus for the success rate of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) applied to a person undergoing seizure due to a certain heart disease. Of course, this fact is true only if both CPR and the use of AED are applied the earliest possible time upon the start of the emergency cardiac situation. There is also the fact that these first-aid practices would provide higher chance of survival for the sufferer if delivered by a knowledgeable and professionally prepared practitioner. These and more explain the importance of taking note of the following steps of proper use of an AED:
- Locate the provided AED by the public place where the patient’s seizure takes place. AEDs are ideally mounted on highly accessible locations, especially in the building’s entrance. These are often brightly colored for easy recognition and are covered with protective casing to avoid accidental switching on of the device.
- Never operate an AED in a gas station or anywhere with combustible or flammable substance nearby. As much as possible, use this device in a spacious area to give maximum air path around the sufferer while the necessary first aid is being applied.
- Protect yourself with insulated gloves and other helpful protective gears before you power on this medical device.
- Don’t allow anyone to touch the patient’s body before and while an AED is being used to analyze the heart rhythm of the patient. Doing so could result to undesired and accidental electric shock. Take extra care when using the AED pads as well.
- Power on the AED as indicated in its user manual or in its voice and visual prompts. Before doing so, you should see to it that the surfaces of the two pads are not touching each other and that there’s no object having direct contact on any of these.
- Place the pads on the patient’s chest with a prescribed distance between the two. Allow the device to scan the rhythm of the malfunctioned heart. The AED will then come up with the most appropriate quantity of electric joule to be supplied to the patient’s heart. If you are using a fully automated AED, the device will automatically apply the necessary electric shock without you giving the instruction.
- Remove the pads and place them back to the patient’s chest. Repeat this step for 5 cycles or until the patient’s heart has resumed to its normal operation. At the same time, check out what the indicators say as you use the device.
The American Heart Association (AHA), the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and other health organizations now highly encourage anyone to learn at least the basics of using an AED the professional way. Citywide CPR is one of the few reputable training centers today that provide extensive but convenient CPR training courses for anyone. Take time to explore its official website to see what make their CPR training and other related programs helpful enough for those who want to protect their loved ones from such between-life-and-death medical situation.
