Defibrillators

Every year in the United States, more than 350,000 people collapse from sudden cardiac arrest. Ninety-five percent die before help can reach them. But now, thanks to Automated External Defibrillators (AED), more and more people are surviving,

In sudden cardiac arrest, a chaotic rhythm (or fibrillation) overtakes the heart, causing it to stop beating. There are generally no warning signs, and people often have no prior history of heart disease. The person collapses immediately and then loses consciousness. A defibrillator applies an electric shock to jolt the heart, allowing the normal rhythm to regain control.

The new battery-operated defibrillators are safe and easy to use, even for someone with little or no medical knowledge. Once it is hooked up, the machine makes the decisions. There are several different models available, but most monitor heart rate and pulse. If necessary, it directs the rescuer to push a single button which sends an electrical shock to the victim's heart.

A defibrillator won't advise to shock unless the victim is in a shockable rhythm. There's no way to override the computer and shock someone if it's not required.

While CPR buys valuable time, defibrillation is key to saving a cardiac arrest victim. The chance for survival goes down by 10 percent for each minute the heart doesn't beat. Within four to six minutes, brain tissue begins to die. After only 10 minutes, 99 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims are dead.

It's estimated that at least 100,000 cardiac arrest victims could be saved each year if first responders, such as police officers, firefighters, security staff, and flight attendants, were trained and equipped with defibrillators. Anyone planning to use a defibrillator is required to take a three-hour training course and CPR training.