Automated external defibrillator (AED)
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia (heart attack) in a patient and is able to treat them through defibrillation, which is the application of electricity to allow the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.
An automated external defibrillator is used in cases of life threatening cardiac arrhythmias which lead to cardiac arrest. The rhythms that the device will treat are usually limited to:
- Pulseless Ventricular tachycardia (shortened to VT or V-Tach)
- Ventricular fibrillation (shortened to VF or V-Fib)
In each of these two types of shockable cardiac arrhythmia, the heart is active, but displays a life-threatening, dysfunctional pattern.
AEDs are not designed to shock asystole ('flat line' patterns); asystolic patients only have a chance of survival if, through a combination of CPR and cardiac stimulant drugs, one of the shockable rhythms can be established, which makes it imperative for CPR to be carried out prior to the use of an AED.
AEDs are designed to be used in the workplace by First Aiders who have received AED training.
AED training in Australia can be delivered by managed training providers such as Alsco (www.alscotraining.com.au), a long-established Australian provider of managed first aid training and other services.
An outline of Alsco’s CPR training module can be viewed at Operate an Automated External Defibrillator
Other Alsco managed training modules can be viewed at Premium First Aid Courses
If your company is interested in a managed first aid training solution, call 1300 651 706 for further information or to book an on-site survey with one of our consultants.
On the web: www.alscotraining.com.au
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