AEDs are Convenient Compact and Powerful

An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a medical device used in the defibrillation of the heart. AEDs are available for $1000 for a basic model to several thousand dollars for a more fully-featured or durable model. In the movies, the defibrillator induces a sudden, violent jerk or convulsion by the patient; in reality, although the muscles may contract, such dramatic patient presentation is rare.

While ventricular fibrillation is still the major primary rhythm in cardiac arrest, nowadays available AEDs can be used especially by the trained and even untrained laymen. Solid-gel electrodes are more convenient, because there is no need to clean the patient's skin after removing the electrodes. The anterior electrode is placed on the right, below the clavicle.

There are a variety of technologies and form factors in use for external defibrillators, and recent progress in cardiac research has led to substantial improvements in the underlying technology. A button must still be depressed manually to trigger the shock, as the operator beforehand must be certain that no-one is touching the patient at that time. Claude Beck successfully revived a patient in an operating room using an open-chest electric defibrillation device, which had been designed by him and then built by his friend James Rand.

Studies and Research on AED's:
Despite the limitations of the study, we conclude that only minimal background knowledge is needed for laypersons to use an AED safely and quickly, and that further implementation of AEDs for use by minimally trained persons without any medical training is possible. When comparing time to first shock between semiautomatic and automatic AEDs, the students were significantly faster in both evaluations using the semiautomatic device. Studies have shown that even children can effectively use an AED.

Facts to Consider:
Since the first clinical use of AEDs in the early 1980s, developments in technology have led to initiatives by health and governmental organizations to develop PAD programs. Many monitor defibrilators provide three, five or 12-lead EKG monitoring to compensate for this downfall of the paddles. For many years, the American Heart Association has postulated inclusion of AED use in basic life support training.

AED Usage and Training:
Many students agree that as AEDs are more or less self-explaining, learning by doing would be the best way to teach CPR and BLS. If the patient does not require defibrillation, units will not allow a shock to be administered. Through the teaching session 'Learning by Teaching' students were prepared in how to contact SCD survivors and their families and how to provide them with an AED and sufficient knowledge about how to use the AED including BLS at the patient and relatives desire.

In most telemedia programs, the defibrillator induces a sudden, violent jerk or convulsion by the patient; in reality, although the muscles may contract, such dramatic patient presentation is rare. Discussion about the fastest way of getting the AED to the patient, especially at their homes, remains unsolved.