What is an automated external defibrillator?
An automated external defibrillator, or AED for short, is a portable medical device designed for on-site emergency use. It is designed to diagnose specific arrhythmias and restore the patient's normal heart rhythm through electrical defibrillation. The emergence of AED has greatly improved the success rate of non-professionals in rescuing cardiac arrest patients in emergencies.
The core function of an AED is its ability to automatically analyze the patient's heart rhythm and, if necessary, correct ventricular fibrillation or flutter, as well as ventricular tachycardia, through electrical shocks. In ventricular fibrillation and flutter, the patient's heart's electrical activity is severely disrupted and cannot effectively pump blood, leading to loss of consciousness, convulsions, respiratory arrest, and even death. At this time, rapid ventricular defibrillation is the key to reversing the chaotic heart rhythm and saving lives. The AED automatically interprets the electrocardiogram to determine whether an electric shock is needed, and automatically generates an electric shock when necessary to quickly defibrillate and gain valuable rescue time for the patient.
AEDs are used in a wide range of scenarios, including but not limited to public places, medical institutions, sports venues, etc. In public places such as airports, train stations, shopping malls, etc., due to the large flow of people and complex crowds, the possibility of sudden cardiac arrest is high, so the provision of AED is particularly important. In medical institutions such as emergency departments and cardiology departments, AEDs are essential equipment for first aid for cardiac arrest patients. In addition, in sports venues such as stadiums, because the risk of cardiac arrest during exercise is high, the provision of AEDs is also crucial.
When using an AED, you need to follow the device instructions and first aid procedures. First, confirm the patient's condition and check for cardiac arrest. Then, turn on the AED and stick the electrode pads on the appropriate position on the patient's chest according to the electrode pads or the pattern prompts on the case. Then, press the "Analyze" button on the AED panel and wait for the AED to automatically analyze the heart rhythm. After the analysis is completed, the AED will issue a voice prompt to determine whether defibrillation is required. If defibrillation is required, make sure no one is touching the patient before pressing the "Defib" button to deliver an electric shock. After defibrillation, perform CPR immediately and wait for medical professionals to arrive.
Although the AED provides an effective first aid tool for non-professionals, there are still some things to pay attention to during use. For example, make sure the patient's skin is dry and uncovered to avoid compromising the effectiveness of defibrillation. At the same time, for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, care should be taken to avoid placing the AED's defibrillation electrode directly on the implanted device.
In general, the automated external defibrillator is an efficient and portable emergency device that can provide timely treatment to cardiac arrest patients in emergencies. However, successful first aid still requires prompt medical assistance and professional treatment. Therefore, while using an AED, you should call the emergency number as soon as possible and wait for the arrival of professional medical personnel. In addition, it is also very important to receive relevant first aid training to ensure that an AED can be used correctly and effectively in emergency situations.
