70-2272 AED ImplementGuide text

1 AEDA utomated External DefibrillationImplementation GuideMaking the Commitment to Saving LivesEach year, more than 950,000 adult Americans die from cardiovascular disease, making it theNo. 1 cause of death in the United States. At least 250,000 Americans die of sudden cardiacarrest (SCA) before they reach a hospital. SCA strikes people of all ages and all degrees of fit-ness. It usually strikes without warning. Many of these lives can be saved if bystanders quicklyphone 911 and begin CPR, and if trained responders provide defibrillation within choosing to implement an AED (automated external defibrillator) program at your facility orsite, you have made the commitment to saving lives and to improving the Chain of Survival inyour workplace often, SCA is caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF) that prevents the heart from pumping blood.

2 The treatment for VF is defibrillation. Defibrillation is thedelivery of an electric shock to the heart that stops VF and allows a normal heart rhythm to defibrillation on-site with an AED increases survival rates for VF cardiac arrest. In placeswhere AED programs provide immediate CPR and deliver the first shock within 3 minutes aftercollapse, reported survival rates from VF cardiac arrest are as high as 74%. Currently only about5% of all sudden cardiac arrest victims survive in places where no AED programs have beenestablished to provide prompt CPR and is the Chain of Survival?

3 More people can survive SCA if bystanders act quickly to start the Chain of Survival. The Chain ofSurvival consists of the actions needed to treat a life-threatening adult Chain of Survival has 4 vital links:Early Access Recognizing that an emergency exists and quickly phoning EMS (emergencymedical services). In most communities, 911 is the EMS CPR Starting CPR immediately after cardiac arrest. CPR circulates oxygen-rich blood to thebrain and heart. It buys time for the victim until defibrillation can be Defibrillation Defibrillating the victim as soon as the AED arrives.

4 This is most effectivewithin 3 to 5 Advanced Care Trained healthcare providers arriving quickly to give advancedImplementing Your Facility s AED ProgramThe following information will help you develop an AED program for your site. This guide focuseson things to consider when developing your program. It highlights key factors and providesoptions to help you make necessary decisions about medical oversight of your program, stateand local requirements for AEDs, location of defibrillators, notifying local EMS, and selection ofpeople to serve as trained responders for the the only effectivetherapy for ventricular each minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation,the chance of survival decreases7% to 10%.

5 The American Heart Associationis dedicated to helping businessesand communities establish AEDprograms. Staff is available toassist you throughout the decision-making process and to developtraining solutions that meet yourspecific needs. For more information,contact us at 1-877-AHA-4-CPR(1-877-242-4277).With a strong Chain of Survivalin every workplace and community,more lives can be most cases of cardiac arrest, thecritical link is Early year, more than 950,000 adult Americansdie from cardiovascular disease, making it theNo. 1 cause of death in the United States.

6 Atleast 250,000 Americans die of sudden cardiacarrest (SCA) before they reach a hospital. SCAstrikes people of all ages and all degrees of fit-ness. It usually strikes without warning. Many ofthese lives can be saved if bystanders quicklyphone 911 and begin CPR, and if trainedresponders provide defibrillation within choosing to implement an AED (automatedexternal defibrillator) program at your facility orsite, you have made the commitment to savinglives and to improving the Chain of Survival inyour workplace often, SCA is caused by an abnormal heartrhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF) that preventsthe heart from pumping blood.

7 The treatment for VFis defibrillation. Defibrillation is the delivery of an elec-tric shock to the heart that stops VF and allows anormal heart rhythm to defibrillation on-site with an AEDincreases survival rates for VF cardiac places where AED programs provide immediate CPR and deliver the first shock within 3 minutes after collapse, reported survival rates from VF cardiac arrest are as high as 74%. Currently only about 5% of all sudden cardiac arrest victims survivein places where no AED programs havebeen established to provide prompt CPR and people can survive SCA if bystanders actquickly to start the Chain of Survival.

8 The Chainof Survival consists of the actions needed to treata life-threatening adult Chain of Survival has 4 vital links:Early Access Recognizing that an emer-gency exists and quickly phoning EMS (emer-gency medical services). In most communities,911 is the EMS CPR Starting CPR immediately after cardiac arrest. CPR circulates oxygen-rich bloodto the brain and heart. It buys time for the victimuntil defibrillation can be Defibrillation Defibrillating the victimas soon as the AED arrives. This is most effectivewithin 3 to 5 Advanced Care Trained healthcareproviders arriving quickly to give advanced following information will help you developan AED program for your site.

9 This guide focuseson things to consider when developing your pro-gram. It highlights key factors and providesoptions to help you make necessary decisionsabout medical oversight of your program,state and local requirements for AEDs,location of defibrillators, notifying local EMS,and selection of people to serve as trained responders for the Goal of an Effective AED ProgramThe goal of an AED program is to increase the rate of survival of people who have a sudden cardiacarrest. Effective AED programs deliver a shock to a victim within 3 to 5 minutes of collapse (3 min-utes is optimal, 5 is acceptable).

10 For every minute without immediate CPR and defibrillation, the oddsof survival decrease 7% to 10%. Because more AEDs have become available, lives are saved Elements in All AED Programs The expense was training was very we got the defibrillators,our goal was to have half ofour staff trained in their use. Loren ShefferOwner,Volvo Dealership,Delray Beach, FLWhere can we find our state sAED regulations?To view a summary of your state slegislation as it relates to AEDprograms, go to on CorporateTraining, AED programs, AEDL egislation-State more detailed information,contact the American HeartAssociation or your state EMS are your program s decision-makers and influencers?