1. What is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?

Sudden cardiac arrest is caused by an abnormal heart rhythm known as ventricular fibrillation which causes blood not to circulate to the heart and brain which stops the pulse and breathing.

2. Can SCA be reversed?

Yes!

Here are the 4 steps to take:

? Call 911(Emergency Medical Services (EMS));

? Use an AED (automated external defibrillator) to defibrillate the victim

? Administer CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to the victim

? When EMS arrives; advanced cardiac life support is rendered to the victim.


3. What is an Automated External Defibrillator?

An AED assesses the heart’s rhythm to determine if the AED should administer an electric shock to restore the heart to a normal rhythm. They use visual and/or audible prompts guide the rescuer.

4. Why are AEDs important?
These amazing devices are the only machine that can restore a normal heart rhythm in victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Experts say when a person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, the chance of survival decreases by 7 percent to 10 percent for each minute that passes without defibrillation. An estimated 100,000 lives could be saved each year if AEDs were widely used.

5. Can anyone use an AED?
You don’t need to be medically trained to use AEDs. “Automatic operation” and “Semi-automatic” operation AEDs are designed to be used by anyone in a business, home or community environment. AEDs are very simple to use. AEDs are most effective when an AED Program is used to provide AED/CPR training, equipment maintenance and monitoring and compliance with state and local laws and regulations. .

6. If AED treatment of SCA works, why are survival rates low?

Chances of survival decreases by 7 percent to 10 percent for each minute that passes without defibrillation Only 1 out of 20 SCA victims survive. Many of these lives could be saved if defibrillation is provided faster. Studies show that defibrillating victims within 3 minutes of collapse greatly improves cardiac arrest survival rates. Because the average response time for an ambulance is 8 to15 minutes, by the time emergency medical services arrives, victim's are unlikely to survive.

7. How often should an AED be monitored?

Each AED manufacturer has different specifications. Manufacturers’ owner’s manuals provide instructions. Maintenance and monitoring of an AED depends on type of AED you own. Your AED should be examined based on manufacturer specifications to ensure proper operation; like making sure the “ready” light is on and batteries and pads operational.

8. Will an AED always reverse cardiac arrest?

An AED is designed to reverse two abnormal heart rhythms called ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. AEDs cannot help people with some other types of abnormal rhythms.

9. Do AEDs replace the use of CPR?

AED can shock the heart back into a normal rhythm but CPR should be performed along with the use of an AED. CPR helps the body get air and circulation to the vital organs.

10. Can a business or person be sued for having or using an AED?

Anyone can file a law suit against a business or residence for having or not having an AED. However, businesses and residences that have AEDs available to protect employees, customers, relatives and visitors, laws are in place to protect them and significantly improve a business or persons chances of the dismissal of claims. These laws were enacted to encourage businesses and residences to purchase these life-saving products. A federal law, the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, provides limited immunity from lawsuits to AED owners and users if the owner has notified local emergency systems of their AED location; provides periodic testing of the device; and provides AED training for some but not all - expected users…even if the AED is used by someone who does not have training. All 50 states have enacted legislation or regulations similar to this law and these state laws also provide immunity to uncompensated rescuers who use an AED in good faith.

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Good Samaritan laws in the United States are laws or acts protecting from liability those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill. They are intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death.
Similarly, in Canada, a good Samaritan doctrine is a legal principle that prevents a rescuer who has voluntarily helped a victim in distress from being successfully sued for 'wrongdoing'. Its purpose is to keep people from being reluctant to help a stranger in need for fear of legal repercussions if they were to make some mistake in treatment.

Good Samaritan laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as will their interactions with various other legal principles, such as consent, parental rights and the right to refuse treatment.

Automated External Defibrillators for home and office

All businesses should train and certify its employees via AED/CPR classes and also set up a compliant AED Program to protect its entire daily population of employees, contractors, vendor and visitors.

The management team should appoint an AED program coordinator who reports to them to manage the AED Program. An AED Program Coordinator is typically an employee who is always in the office and who is willing to take responsibility for day-to-day AED program activities. This employee will select and schedule employee CPR/AED training.

AED Program implementation guides for businesses are widely available to help employers properly set up the program to assure your business is compliant with state and local AED requirements. Many State laws require AED registration with local EMS and completion of nationally recognized AED/CPR courses from American Heart Association, American Red Cross or American Safety and Health Institute; among others which certify trainees for 2 year renewal periods.

After you collapse and stop breathing, will you or anyone near you know you had a cardiac arrest?


You arrive at the office early to work on a project with 10 other employees.

In the conference room; a fellow employee and friend passes out, hits her head on a table and lays not breathing on the floor.

All 9 employees in the room gather to help her, shaking her; crying out are you ok? Are you ok? 

Precious minutes are passing; when one of the employees decides to calls 911.

None of these employees are trained on how to operate a defibrillator (AED) or how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and they don’t know what to do. Unfortunately; it took the ambulance 15 minutes to get to the scene but with no AED or CPR help; the employee died. 

Without defibrillation and CPR, a cardiac arrest victim’s chances of survival fall 7 to 10 percent for each minute that passes.

When needed; AEDs can intimidate employees who haven’t been trained to use them. Everyone should and can be able respond to a cardiac emergency by taking an AED/CPR class to learn the procedures to save a life.

All businesses should train and certify its employees via AED/CPR classes and also set up a compliant AED Program to protect its entire daily population of employees, contractors, vendor and visitors.
 
The management team should appoint an AED program coordinator who reports to them to manage the AED Program. An AED Program Coordinator is typically an employee who is always in the office and who is willing to take responsibility for day-to-day AED program activities. This employee will select and schedule employee CPR/AED training. 

AED Program implementation guides for businesses are widely available to help employers properly set up the program to assure your business is compliant with state and local AED requirements.  Many State laws require AED registration with local EMS and completion of nationally recognized AED/CPR courses from American Heart Association, American Red Cross or American Safety and Health Institute; among others which certify trainees for 2 year renewal periods.

 I just want to say Thanks! for taking the time to read my hub. I hope you found this hub educational. I do appreciate all comments left. I also want to encourage you to read my other hubs.