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It is available in many public places, workplaces and facilities with crowds of people. It is impossible not to notice it, and yet most of us are unable to indicate a specific place where it is available, and even less what it is for and how to use it. The AED, because we are talking about it, can save our lives – for ourselves or the victims of the events we witness. Check where to find it and how to apply it.
- An AED is a device used to defibrillate a person in cardiac arrest
- It can be used, for example, by an accident witness, and the use of a defibrillator does not require professional training
- The device is intuitive and easy to use. It is enough to follow the instructions given in the form of voice and visual commands
- AED defibrillators are located in places where many people are present, e.g. in shopping malls, railway stations, schools or workplaces
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
What is AED?
AED (the automated external defibrillator) is an automatic external defibrillator, a specialized device that is used to perform automatic defibrillation of a person in cardiac arrest. Defibrillation, i.e. the use of a certain dose of electrical discharges to suppress VF and in the case of pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
The device is designed in such a way that it can also be used by those who do not have medical education (although ideally if the person using the AED is trained in this regard). Using voice and visual commands, it «guides» the operator through the entire procedure.
The AED is a small device consisting of a central unit powered by a battery or rechargeable battery and two electrodes with cables that are glued to the chest.
The rest of the text below the video.
Where can I find an automated external defibrillator?
AEDs are housed in special, secure boxes that are easily accessible and visible. They are most often installed in places where many people stay: in schools, workplaces, shopping centers, sports halls, hotels, nursing homes, railway stations and other public buildings.. Of course, also in hospitals and other medical facilities.
In crisis situations, however, even the most obvious location may be invisible. If we have a problem with finding AED, we can use the application in which we can find a map and locator of the nearest defibrillators (eg Save life or Save with heart).
What is first aid with an AED?
The use of an AED is not the first step in helping an injured person. First, we always check her condition: whether she is breathing and whether she is conscious. If the answers to both questions are negative, we always open our airways first. Only later do we start cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation.
According to the guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council, the correct order is as follows:
- We assess the condition of the injured person.
- We open the respiratory tract of the injured person, if he is not breathing.
- If there are other bystanders, we ask for their help, such as calling an ambulance and bringing an AED.
- We start CPR in the 30: 2 mode (30 chest compressions, two rescue breaths – if we are not comfortable with the mouth-to-mouth method, we can only compress).
- We open the package with the defibrillator and turn it on (large, marked button).
- Cut the victim’s clothes open, if necessary (the scissors are included in the package).
- We take out the electrodes and stick them in the places marked in the instructions.
- We follow the instructions issued by the AED – at this point, the ECG analysis is performed, during which we do not touch the injured person.
- If a shock is required, the device will proceed to charge the capacitors and ask you to press a button to start the shocks.
- The AED may ask you to continue CPR by following the voice prompts.
- After two minutes, another ECG analysis takes place. If necessary, the shock is repeated.
We conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation along with defibrillation until the arrival of professional medical help or until the victim regains consciousness.
Dressing materials may be useful in providing first aid. It is worth having them in your first aid kit, e.g. in a car. You can find hydrocolloid, collagen and silicone foam dressings at Medonet Market.
We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time Kamila Wykrota, the resilience trainer, will tell us about what resilience is. How does the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and react to adversities affect our quality of life? You will find out by listening to the latest episode of our podcast.