Dangers Associated With Automated External Defibrillators

According to the American Heart Association, there is one death every 33 seconds from cardiac arrest. These cardiac arrests, most commonly caused by sudden irregularities in heart rhythms--or ventricular fibrillation--cut off the blood supply to the brain and vital organs. The increasing availability of automated external defibrillators (or AEDs) is allowing more and more people to survive cardiac arrest. However, AEDs must be operated properly and safely, because they do carry some risk to the operator and bystander.

• AEDs can save lives in emergency situations.

Function

• AEDs help resuscitate victims of cardiac arrests by delivering an electric shock (defibrillation) through the chest to the heart muscle, thus causing the heart to "reset" its rhythm and resume proper functioning.

Features

• AEDs are, by design, portable and automated. Operation usually requires the placement of two adhesive electrode pads on the victim's chest. Most AEDs provide spoken instructions as soon as it is turned on. The AED then analyzes the patient's heart rhythm and determines whether a shock is necessary. If so, it then delivers the necessary voltage.

Touching the Victim

• No contact should be made with the victim during the AED's analysis or during the shock period. Touching the victim during analysis prevents the AED from gathering accurate data. Touching the victim during shock can cause the shock to pass to the rescuer, possibly injuring them.

Water Cautions

• Caution must be exercised when dealing with victims that are in water, placed on wet ground, or are not wiped dry before attaching the electrode pads. Water conducts electricity, and the rescuer or bystanders can get shocked or burned, or nearby objects can catch on fire. Water on the victim's skin can also cause the electricity delivered by the shock to "arc" and further injure the victim. Water can also decrease the effectiveness of the defibrillating shock.

Maintenance

• AEDs must be properly maintained in order to ensure safety for both the rescuer and the victim. The maintenance required for an AED depends on the model and the manufacturer. While some AEDs perform self-tests and provide warnings when service is required, you should make sure that an AED is in proper working order before deploying it.

Other Warnings

• AEDs must also only be used in the manner for which they were intended: to provide defibrillation shocks to an adult in cardiac arrest. AED pads should never be used to awaken someone who is asleep or intoxicated. Adult electrode pads (unless the AED comes with a pediatric sensor) should never be placed or used on children under 12.