AED for Adults and Children > 8 Flashcards
AED is an important factor in survival from sudden cardiac arrrest caused by:
- V-Fib
- Pulseless V-tach
What things can be done to ensure early access to an AED?
- Make AEDs immediately available to BLS providers resposding
- Make public accesss defibrillation available
What are typical locatioons of public access defibrillation?
- airports
- convention centers
- sports facilities
- industsrial buildings
- offices
What criteria is there to participate in a PAD?
- Registration
- Oversight
- Training
What is included in maintaining an AED?
- Battery replacement
- Calibration
- Ordering and replacing equipment
What does research show about minimizing the interval between last compressions and shock delivery?
The shock is much more likely to be effective (stop V-fib and initiate return of spontaneous circulation)
What happens in pulseless V-tach?
In extreme cases of ventricular tacchycardia the ventricles can pump so quickly and inefficiently that no pulse can be detected.
What happens in V-Fib?
VF is an arrest rhythm.
The heart’s electrical activity becomes disordered.
The heart muscles quiver in a fast, unsynchronized way so the heart does not pump blood.
What are the universal steps in operating the AED?
- Open the case
- Power up AED (may be automatic)
- Follow prompts
- Attach AED pads to bare chest
- Attach cables to device
- When prompted, “Clear” the victim to allow it to analyze the rhythm
- If needed, press button to analyze
- AED notifies if a shock is needed
What are the two placement options for AED pads?
- Antereolateral
- Anteroposterior
What special circumstances may require the rescuer to take extra steps before applying the pads?
- Hairy chest
- Immersed in water or has water covering chest
- Has an implanted defibrillator or pacemaker
- Has a transdermal medication patch or other object on the skin where the AED pad needs to go
If the AED displays a “check electrodes” or “check electrode pads” message what could be wrong.
- Hairy chest
What should you do if the victim has been immersed in water or the chest is wet?
- Dry the chest off
Can you use the AED if the victim is lying in the snow or a small puddle of water?
Yes but only if you have dried off the chest.
What do you do when you identify the victim has a pacemaker?
- If possible, avoid placing pads of ther implanted device.
- follow normal steps for AED
