CPR and AED

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

The manual application of chest compressions

and ventilation to patients in cardiac arrest, to
maintain viability until advanced help arrives.
What is AED?

Automated External Defibrillator or AED is:

▫ A portable device that checks the heart rhythm can

send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a
normal rhythm.

▫ Automatically diagnoses the potentially life

threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular
fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient
and is able to treat them through defibrillation.
Defibrillation

The application of electrical therapy which stops

the arrhythmia allowing the heart to establish an
effective rhythm.
Why are AED’s important?
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

• Makes it possible for more people to respond to a

medical emergency where defibrillation is applied

• Can be use by nonmedical people

• Can be made part of emergency response that

include rapid use of 9-1-1 and prompt delivery of
(CPR) all these 3 can improve survival from SCA
(sudden cardiac arrest)
How does an AED work?
A built in computer checks a victim’s rhythm through
adhesive electrodes. The computer calculates whether
defibrillation is needed. If it is, a recorder voice prompts
the rescuer to press the shock button. This shock
momentarily stuns the heart and stops all activity. Gives
the heart the chance to resume beating effectively.
 Audible prompts guide the user through the
process. AEDs advise a shock only for ventricular
fibrillation or another life threatening condition called
pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
How to use AED?

1. Turn on the AED and follow the visual/audio

prompts.

2. Open the person’s shirt and wipe his/her bare

chest dry. If the person is wearing any
medication patches, you should use a gloved (if
possible) hand to remove the patches before
wiping the person’s chest.
3. Attach the AED pads, and plug in the connector
(if necessary).

4. Make sure no one, including you, is touching

the person. Tell everyone to “stand clear”.

5. Push the “analyze” button (if necessary) and

allow the AED to analyze the person’s heart
rhythm.
6. If the AED recommends that you deliver a shock
to the person, make sure that no one, including
you, is touching the person– tell everyone to
“stand clear”. Once clear press the “shock” button.

7. Begin CPR after delivering the shock. Or, if no

shock is advised, begin CPR. Perform 2 minutes
(about 5 cycles) of CPR & continue to follow
AED’s prompts. If you notice obvious signs of life,
discontinue CPR & monitor breathing for any
changes in condition.