minti, powered by parents Powered by Parents
First Visit?     Register     Login
 

This site gets better with user participation. Please participate... Some of the main things you can do is rate this advice, add comments to this advice, add links to and from this advice, and/or write your own advice.

  email  print
  report   
Like this topic?
Write Advice
Add to Favorites
Advice that links to this one
ADVICE RATING
 (May work) (May work) (May work) (May work) (May work) 3.43 (May work) from 12 votes (536 Visits)

Anyone Can Save a Life with an AED

biglarry by biglarry Walking(March 2006) (rank 500+)

Automated External Defibrillators (AED) are becoming more and more prevalent in schools, airports, and public buildings all over the country. These fantastic devices have saved many lives that would have otherwise been lost simply because time is such a critical issue when it comes to heart related problems. Even though

emergency response teams respond rapidly, having an AED on hand will enable an individual suffering from a heart attack or other heart related problem to survive until the paramedics arrive. Using an AED, anyone has the power to save a life!

According to the informative Web site Start A Heart, automated external defibrillators are lightweight, portable devices that can jumpstart a victim’s heart by using an electrical pulse called a biphasic shock. Guiding the rescuer with a combination of simple and clear voice, text and graphical instructions, AEDs do nearly all of the work, enabling practically anyone save a life!

While training seminars will introduce to the correct methods of using an AED, many AED provide voice instructions and are practically fool proof. In fact, growing research suggests that AED are easier to use and often more effective than CPR! However, it is recommended that those likely to use an AED are complete a training course for defibrillators so that they know exactly know the device works.

The popularity of AED has catapulted this piece of life saving equipment from the obscure to the every day. Companies like Zoll, Welch Allyn and Phillips have introduced affordable AED that are now even practical for home use. For instance, Amazon.com carries the Phillips HeartStart for a competitive $1,295, while the advanced Zoll AED Plus is just $1,695. It is amazing that such a small investment can help you save a life; perhaps even your own! A growing number of grant programs have sprung up to fund public access defibrillators for places such as schools and government buildings.

A great many lives have been saved thanks to these fantastic Automated External Defibrillators in a variety of public places. From teenaged athletes with undiagnosed heart problems who suffer heart attacks while participating in their sport of choice to individuals who suffer a heart attack in their local mall or airport, AED are an excellent piece of technology that can literally decide between life and death. If you are in the position to, consider purchasing an AED for your home or place of business. Also, consider learning the correct methods of using an AED in the event of an emergency.

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.

Related Content:

Bookmarks:

ADVICE RATING
 (May work) (May work) (May work) (May work) (May work) 3.43 (May work) from 12 votes
Report

Thankyou for your vote (you can change your vote at any time). Please leave some helpful comments about this advice using the box below.

ExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellent
GoodGoodGoodGoodGood
AverageAverageAverageAverageAverage
PoorPoorPoorPoorPoor
Very PoorVery PoorVery PoorVery PoorVery Poor

Voting help


 
Add a comment on this article.

 

Saraloo
3.69 (Good) | June 2006 | Saraloo
Defib is a Lifesaver

I agree that these new machines are great to have on board especially in schools and workplaces.  I also belive that you also need to have training in CPR as well as defib to be effective at saving lives.  My husband is a firefighter and they get many emergency medical responce calls over the course of a year, and one of his coworker was recently at the scene of a heart attack victim.  Apon arrival they hooked up the defib and were ready to use it, then  found based on the reading from the defib that he did not have a  treatable heart rythym.  If not for a knowledge of CPR this patient would have died on route to hospital.  After using CPR until they got to the emergency room, the man lived and although he is still in hospital he still has a chance at recovery. 

I still think defib is great tool to have on board when an emergency like heart attack occur but I belive that anyone using the device should be required to pass a course, taught by a registered professional.   Also you should never leave out the basics and forget about the old tried and true CPR.  Eventhough it is hard to get right and something you need to get a refresher course on yearly, I think that that CPR knowledge along with defib is your best chance at saving a life.  Great information Big Larry, we all need to be aware of the tools out there to help us help ourselves!



Reply Reply Report

Know someone who would like this site? Refer a friend