Transcript Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Rescue Division
Mobile Fire-Rescue Department EMS Division
EMS Chief
AED PRESENTATION
What Are AEDs?
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) allow trained lay rescuers to successfully deliver defibrillation even before EMS can arrive.
AEDs are safe, effective, lightweight, durable, low maintenance and easy to use.
AEDs interpret heart rhythm and determine if a shock is required. The unit prompts the rescuer to deliver the shock, if necessary. An AED will NOT shock someone who does not need defibrillation.
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
The heart stops abruptly and unconsciousness follows
Usually caused by
Ventricular Fibrillation
(abnormal chaotic heart rhythm which causes the heart’s pumping action to quickly stop). Not the same as heart attack
ventricular fibrillation is . . .
EARLY DEFIBRILLATION
Where Do Most Sudden Cardiac Arrests Occur?
Most Sudden cardiac arrests occur in the home followed by public locations, such as:
Work Sites
Airports
Churches
Event Centers
Anywhere large amounts of people congregate
The Impact of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
340,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) - that is about 900 per day!
90% of SCAs occur outside of the hospital
Less than 5% survive SCA
If AEDs were more readily available, approximately 50,000 lives could be saved each year
What Can YOU do to Help?
Be a Strong Link in the Chain of Survival Early Defibrillation
What About Liability?
You are Covered by Law:
Alabama’s Good Samaritan Act
Federal Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (CASA)
A person experiencing an SCA is clinically dead. Use of an AED to resuscitate can do no additional harm
Perceived standard of care
Proving medical causation is extremely difficult (who caused the death)