Texas CPR Training, LLC
Serving Dallas, Texas and surrounding areas!

 

Unfortunately, it is impossible to stop dramatic events from happening. These are parts of life, just as happy events are part of existence. You might have been in the situation to witness a sudden heart arrest, but did not how to react so you did the best you could and called the ambulance and it all ended very sadly leaving you with the remorse that there was nothing you could do.

With today's technology, it is possible to do something in critical situations while waiting for the ambulance to come. Even you could be using the automated external defibrillator (AED) and save lives. Modern technology has made it possible for people that are not familiar with the medical environment to use life saving equipment like the AED.

The sudden heart arrest has a very high rate of occurrence. Actually, there is a victim every minute all around the world. This is an alarming figure, considering the fact that most cases of heart arrest have tragic consequences: death or at least brain damage for life. Only up to 5% of cases survive after delayed professional intervention

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
According to the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, the Signs and Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest are:
• Immediate loss of consciousness for no apparent cause
• No pulse

They state, “To many, having a heart attack is their most terrible fear. Yet a different ailment, called sudden cardiac death or cardiac arrest is actually the leading cause of death in young and middle-aged men (it is more than 3 times as common in men as in women). The blood flow to the brain instantly ceases, and loss of consciousness results. Ventricular fibrillation is most often the cause of sudden cardiac death. In turn, the fibrillation is usually caused by coronary artery disease.
The ventricles are the lower two chambers of the heart and are largely responsible for pumping the blood to all parts of the body. When the control system of the heart malfunctions and causes the ventricles to quiver very rapidly and ineffectively (fibrillate), the blood flow stops and sudden cardiac death can result.

When ventricular fibrillation occurs in someone in a hospital and prompt treatment is available, they rhythm disturbance sometimes can be corrected. However, in most cases of sudden cardiac death, the even occurs beyond the immediate reach of appropriate care and the victim dies before treatment can be given”

What is an AED?
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that analyzes the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, allows a rescuer to deliver an electric shock to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. This shock, called defibrillation, may halt the rapid and chaotic heart activity of sudden cardiac arrest, and help the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm of its own.

Portable and Automated, about the size of a laptop computer or smaller, an AED typically consist of a main unit that provides controls and instructions, and detachable electrodes that the rescuer puts on the victim's body. The Phillips Onsite AED is remarkably simple to use. It automatically detects what treatment is appropriate for the victim, and gives rescuers instructions for administering treatment (usually via audio prompts).

Who can use an AED?
For Use by Many Types of Rescuers
The simplicity and reliability of the Phillips Onsite AED’s, allows use by minimally trained laypersons like security guards, health club employees, flight attendants and office managers, etc.

Wherever AED’s are placed, it is important to remember the role of AEDs in supporting the chain of survival. The American Heart Association estimates that focusing on a strong chain of survival, which includes early access to care, early CPR, early defibrillation and early advanced medical care, can increase survival rates to 20% or more and could save at least 50,000 lives each year.

Who needs an AED?
Cardiac Arrest strikes people of all ages and fitness levels, usually without warning. Almost 1,000 people die everyday due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Many of these lives could be saved if they had CPR started early and if they had early access to an AED. Timing is critical. For every minute a Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victim waits for an AED, there is a corresponding 10% loss in the chances of reviving the victim.

Why do we need an AED at work or in our facility?
Plain and simple, AEDs save lives when in the hands of trained rescuers. There is no doubt that public access to AEDs is needed. They are endorsed not only by OSHA, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, but numerous other organizations. There are many drawbacks for not instituting an AED program: there is not only the loss of life to be considered, but the potential for legal action, and the increased medical cost to the company for a patient who survives an SCA but has a prolonged medical stay.

Employers should consider use of AEDs at their worksites to reduce the time to defibrillation with the goal of improving survival. AEDs are easy to use and can make the critical difference in reviving individuals who suffer a cardiac crisis.

The sooner defibrillation is started, the more likely the victim will survive. The AED is as safe, effective, easily learned method of treating victims of cardiac arrest. Employers should consider the use of AEDs at their worksites to reduce the time to defibrillation with the goal of improving survival.

Until recently, if a patient suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest in a non-medical facility, their chances of survival were roughly 1%, because the optimum timing of the first shock is between 3-6 minutes. As a national average, most emergency services do not arrive until after 12 minutes. As a result, Phillips has developed an Automatic External Defibrillator that can be used by non-medical personnel. This exciting life-saving device is about the size of a laptop or smaller, and can be used by anyone. The Phillips AED only delivers a shock if it is needed. Approximately 350,000 people will die from Sudden Cardiac Arrest in this country each year, and the majority of these deaths are preventable with early access to an AED.

Legal Issues: Do we have more risk exposure if we have an AED?
“Not only do the life-saving benefits of a will-conceived AED program outweigh the potential downside, but increasingly, failure to provide an AED in the event of sudden cardiac arrest is becoming a liability concern. ‘As the public’s recognition of the value of accessible AEDs increases, so will the expectation of their availability.

There is maximum legal protection already in place for the rescuer using the AED. First, there are Good Samaritan Laws, second in 2000 President Clinton signed the Cardiac Arrest Support Act completely protecting rescuers using AED’s from legal action. Additionally, there are specific laws in the all 50 states rescuers even further.

The Training:
• We will provide full AED training for your staff at YOUR SITE!!
• We will automatically notify you when your CPR certifications need renewal.

Texas CPR Training can help you with each step in developing your own Public Access Defibrillation site, from start to finish.

When you purchase your AED Plus from Texas CPR Training, you not only receive the best AED on the market, but also the training and services you need to set up your entire AED program. Our service is part of our sale, no extra fee. If you need Medical Oversight and a prescription for your AED, we can help with that with an excellent program that provides this service at low-cost.

 
Helpful links:
National Conference of State Legislatures
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association