What are AEDs and Why are they
so Important for Saving Lives?
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) kills approximately 450,000 Americans each year. Sudden cardiac arrest is unpredictable, often striking people with no previous symptoms of heart trouble. It occurs when the electrical signals that result in a normal heartbeat are interrupted. The heart stops beating effectively, quivers uncontrollably and stops pumping blood through the body. The victim quickly loses consciousness and can die within minutes unless the regular rhythm of the heart is restored. For every minute of delay in restoring the heart rhythm, the chances of survival drop between seven and ten percent. If a normal heart rhythm is not restored within ten minutes, the victim usually dies. Generally, more than 95 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before emergency medical help arrives or they reach a hospital.

AEDs provide an electrical shock to the heart, restoring its normal rhythm. An AED contains a computer that analyzes the victim’s heart rhythm and advises the operator whether an electrical shock is needed. The AED then administers the shock, which stops the abnormal heart rhythm and allows a normal rhythm to return. Throughout the process, the machine guides the operator on every step to take.

The American Heart Association sponsors a Heartsaver course that includes training in operation of an AED, as well as CPR. However, studies have shown that people who have not undergone that training can successfully operate AEDs and save victims lives.

Communities that have implemented AED programs have seen survival rates increase dramatically. The American Heart Association estimates that approximately 100,000 lives could be saved each year through the use of AEDs. A recent study of the effectiveness of Public Access Defibrillation used by people who were not emergency medical responders showed that survival rates doubled in locations with AEDs, compared to locations without AEDs. The study showed that no victim was shocked inappropriately and there were few adverse effects.

Another recent study of AEDs placed in O’Hare, Midway and Meigs Field airports in Chicago also showed the effectiveness of these amazing devices. Eighteen victims experienced ventricular fibrillation, meaning their hearts were beating uncontrollably and could not pump blood. Eleven of the victims were revived by people using an AED – far better than the usual five percent survival rates. Three of the AED operators had no medical training and had not been formally trained to operate the devices.

For additional information, click on the links below:

• Seattle Law
  
• National Center for Early Defibrillation
  

Liability Issues
You could be liable if you don’t have an AED, because it is becoming the standard of care in places where people gather. Some recent court cases found event organizers and facility owners liable for sudden cardiac arrests that resulted in death because they did not provide AEDs.
The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, which was signed into law in 2000, provides Good Samaritan protection across the United States that exempts from liability anyone who renders emergency treatment with an AED to save someone’s life.

For additional information about legal liability and AEDs, click on the following links:

• American Heart Association
  
• National Center for Early Defibrillation
• International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association