If you’ve ever been to a gym, athletic center, school, mall, hospital, football stadium, or outside, it’s safe to say you’ve crossed paths with an AED. These things are reliable, portable, and play a fundamental role in the very fabric of our community’s health care network.
They get results too. When used within the first 3-minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest, an AED can increase survival rates by over 80-percent. AEDs can save lives, but their life-saving ability hinges on the capabilities of the people nearby. Here’s everything you need to know about AEDs.
What Is an AED?
AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a portable medical device used to provide life-saving intervention in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. AEDs may be small, but these sophisticated devices sure can pack a punch.
AEDs contain small computers that are programmed to detect the rhythm of a person’s heart, pinpoint the type of rhythm, and determine if the rhythm requires attention. If needed, the AED will deliver an electric shock or defibrillation to restart a person’s heart.
AEDs usually come packed with basic instructions, though it’s best to rely on the hands of a trained operator in case of emergency.