QUESTION: Why do we need AEDs? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: AEDs save lives. When a person has a sudden cardiac arrest ("SCA"), their heart's regular rhythm becomes chaotic or arrhythmic. Every minute that the heart is not beating lowers the odds of survival by 7% to 10%. After 10 minutes without defibrillation very few people survive. It is estimated that over 450,000 people suffer from SCA and that only 3-5% survive because an AED can't be located and used within the 3-5 minute window of opportunity for the first shock to be administered.
QUESTION: What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart's normal heart rhythm suddenly becomes chaotic. The heart can no longer pump the blood effectively and the victim collapses, stops breathing, becomes unresponsive, and has no detectable pulse. When used on a victim of SCA, the AED can be used to administer a life-saving electric shock that restores the heart's rhythm to normal.
QUESTION: Is SCA the same as a heart attack? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: No. Both the heart attack (myocardial infarction) and a sudden cardiac arrest have to do with the heart, but they are different problems. SCA is an electrical problem; a heart attack is a "plumbing" problem. Sometimes a heart attack, which may not be fatal in itself, can trigger a sudden cardiac arrest.
QUESTION: Who can have a SCA? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: Anyone, anytime. Children can have SCAs, teenagers can have SCAs, athletes can have SCAs, old people can have SCAs. Although the risk of SCA increases with age and in people with heart problems, a large percentage of the victims are people with no known risk factors.
QUESTION: What does the American Heart Association say about AEDs? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: The AHA strongly supports having AEDs in public areas such as sports arenas, office complexes, schools, doctors' offices, shopping malls, airports, and other public places. The AHA also advocates that all police and fire and rescue vehicles be equipped with an AED.
The Treatment for SCA
QUESTION: What is the recommended treatment for SCA? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: Defibrillation is the only treatment proven to restore a normal heart rhythm.
QUESTION: How much time do I have to respond if someone has a sudden cardiac arrest? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: Only minutes. Defibrillate within 3 minutes and the chances of survival are 70%. After 10 minutes, the chances of survival are negligible. Brain death can begin to occur in 4 to 6 minutes.
QUESTION: I know CPR; wouldn't it help? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: CPR only buys a little more time, potentially giving the victim a small amount of extra time until a defibrillator arrives. But SCA ultimately requires a shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. As a result, most CPR training now also includes AED training. With the Zoll AED Plus rescuers are guided through the CPR process both before and after the first shock is delivered.
AED Machines Are Easy to Use
QUESTION: Is an AED complicated to use? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: AEDs are very easy to use. An AED can be used by practically anyone who has been shown what to do. In fact, there are a number cases where people with no training at all have saved lives.
QUESTION: Can a non-medical person make a mistake when using an AED? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: AEDs are safe to use by anyone who has been shown how to use them. The AED's voice guides the rescuer through the steps involved in saving someone; for example, "apply pads to patient's bare chest" (the pads themselves have pictures of where they should be placed) and "press red shock button." Furthermore, safeguards have been designed into the unit precisely so that non-medical responders can't use the AED to shock someone who doesn't need a shock.
QUESTION: Can the AED itself make a mistake? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: It is unlikely. Studies show that AEDs interpret the victim's heart rhythm more quickly and accurately than many trained emergency professionals. If the AED determines that no shock is needed, it will not allow a shock to be given.
QUESTION: Can I be sued if I help someone suffering from SCA? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: State and federal "Good Samaritan" laws cover users who, in good faith, attempt to save a person from death. To date, there are no known judgments against anyone who used an AED to save someone's life.
QUESTION: Has anyone been revived by using the AED? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: Even though the AED has only been on the market since 2003, it has already saved dozens of people's lives.
Maintenance of AED Machines
QUESTION: How often must I change batteries? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: The Defibtech Life?Line AED comes with a lithium battery pack that is available in a 5 or 7-year size. If the unit is used frequently, the battery pack may have to be replaced more often. The AED will inform the user when the battery pack needs to be replaced. The Zoll AED Plus comes with lithium Duracell Batteries that have a standby time of 5 years.
QUESTION: What else do I need to do to keep my AED in working order? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: The Life?Line AED pad package must be replaced every two years. Otherwise, the AED performs automatic self-checks on a regular basis to test its operational readiness. If anything is not fully functional, the unit will make a loud chirp and flash a red light warning the owner that servicing may be required. The Zoll AED Plus CPR-D pads have a 4 yr shelf life.
Buying an AED Machine
QUESTION: Can anyone buy an AED? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: Anyone can buy an AED. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) rules do require a physician's prescription (AEDs are manufactured and sold under guidelines approved by the Food and Drug Administration) before the unit can be delivered.
QUESTION: What features should I look for in an AED? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: Look for:
- An AED that is easy for non-medical people to use
- An AED that is technically reliable
- One that is reasonably priced
QUESTION: What is the warranty? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: Both our AEDs are warranted for five years.
QUESTION: How do I buy an AED? < Back To Top Of Page >
ANSWER: Contact AED Now! at 877-340-8689 or email us at: sales@AEDNow.com
If you have a question that we have not answered about AED Machines, please contact us today!
