AED'S Save Lives
Teays Valley School District has put into place a Heart Safe Workplace program. Each school in the district is now equipped with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
An AED is a machine with a computer inside that can recognize cardiac arrest that requires shock.
The AED will indicate when a shock is needed, and give a shock.
The aim of this program is to make early defibrillation immediately available in cardiac emergencies.
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, anytime. It is usually caused by an electrical malfunction that makes the heart quiver ineffectively in an abnormal rhythm called ventricular fibrillation.
CPR may not be enough, it is a temporary measure that helps maintain blood flow to the brain. A lifesaving pulse of electricity - defibrillation - is the only treatment and must be delivered quickly to restore the heart's normal rhythm.
• Over 250,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest
• Only 3 - 5 % of cardiac arrest victims survive
• For every minute that passes survival decreases by 10%
• Cardiac arrest survival can improve dramatically if an AED device is used by a trained person within 5 minutes.
Teays Valley School District has the LIFEPAK CR Plus and the Cardiac Science Power Heart AED available in all the schools.
The defibrillator will provide an electric shock to the heart and can stop the abnormal heart rhythm and allow a normal heart rhythm to return.
AEDs are accurate and easy to use. After very little training, most people can operate an AED. Giving CPR right away and using an AED within a few minutes will increase the chances of saving the life of someone with sudden cardiac arrest.
PEDIATRIC
At the elementary schools, each AED is equipped with one set of pediatric defibrillation electrodes. Pediatric pads are used for children aged 1 to 8 years. Pediatric pads reduce the voltage energy and delivers a smaller shock dose for children.
If the rescuer does not have an AED with a pediatric dose-attenuator system, the rescuer should use a standard AED.
Adult pads may be used on children and an adult shock dose may be given to children 1 to 8 years of age.
AEDs and Infants
For infants (less than 1 year of age), an AED with pediatric dose attenuation is desirable. If this is not available, an AED without a dose attenuator may be used.
Time is critical, because every minute counts. Knowing what to do in a cardiac emergency can mean the difference between life and death. You can increase the chance of survival for a victim of sudden cardiac arrest if you give the victim CPR right away and use an AED within a few minutes.
Perform Compressions – Push hard and fast on the center of the victim's chest, open the Airway – tilt the victim's head back and lift the chin to open the airway, perform Breathing – give mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths.
Attach and use the AED as soon as available.
Minimize interruptions in chest compressions before and after shock; resume CPR beginning with compressions immediately after each shock.
If you have questions about this lifesaving device or would like to enroll in a CPR training class -
contact AED program coordinator @ 983-5022 or Berger Health System's CPR Hotline @ 740-420-8364.