How to Use a Defibrillator

On the other hand, cardiac arrest is an electrical problem with the heart that causes it to stop pumping blood around the body. Cardiac arrest can be caused by a heart attack that has caused the heart to take on an irregular rhythm (commonly ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia). Unlike a heart attack where the patient will generally be alert and breathing, cardiac arrest victims will be unresponsive and not breathing properly. CPR should be administered immediately and continued until an Automated External Defibrillator is applied.

How Do Public Access Defibrillator Work?

Designed to offer immediate medical intervention in the event of sudden cardiac arrest, public access AEDs are built to be easily accessible and operable by untrained bystanders. With fully automatic and semi-automatic models available, AEDs provide users with voice prompts to guide them through the defibrillation process, step by step.
• AEDs require the user to apply two electrode pads to the patient’s exposed torso with one pad placed slightly below the collarbone on the right side of the chest and the other placed below the armpit on the left side. The AED pads then analyse the electrical signals coming from the patient’s heart.
• If the device detects a shockable rhythm it will advise that a shock is required.
• Depending on whether the AED is fully- or semi-automated, it will either prompt the user to press a button to deliver an electric shock, or count down and administer the shock automatically. A voice prompt will also instruct the operator to stand clear of the patient while the shock is being delivered.
• This electrical shock is intended to reset electrical activity within their heart, thereby restoring the heart’s normal rhythm.
• Following the initial shock the AED will instruct the rescuer to continue performing CPR for a further 2 minutes before analysing the patient’s heart rhythm again.
• The device will continue to instruct the rescuer to perform additional shocks and CPR for as long as it detects a shockable rhythm. These instructions should be followed until emergency services arrive.
• Alternatively, the AED will advise the rescuer to refrain from administering further shocks if the heart rhythm has been restored or if the patient has flatlined. It is a common misconception that defibrillation can be performed on someone who has flatlined since this is not a shockable heart rhythm. Instead, CPR should be administered to try and return the patient’s heart into a shockable rhythm.

When to Use an AED

As the third link in the chain of survival, AED defibrillation should only be administered on an unresponsive patient following the delivery of CPR. It is important that CPR continues until the AED is turned on and the pads are correctly attached to the patient (on an axis through the heart). Though CPR is an integral link in the chain of survival for cardiac arrest𑁋keeping blood flowing artificially and producing a shockable rhythm𑁋a shock from a defibrillator is the only way to restore the patient’s heart back into its normal rhythm.

Where Should Defibrillator be Placed?

Defibrillators are often found in public places so that they are readily available in case of a cardiac-related emergency. With many people having out-of-hospital cardiac events every year, it’s important to provide members of the public with an easy-to-use medical device that has been proven to increase one’s chance of survival. You will commonly find them in places such as:
• Train stations
• Gyms
• Airports
• Shopping centers
• Workplaces
The general rule is to have AEDs located in a central location—generally on a wall—where it can be easily identified by anyone in need of using the device. Furthermore, AEDs should always be located within 90 seconds of a brisk walk, capable of being accessed by people of all heights.

Workplace Defibrillator Placement

While there is no mandate for Australian workplaces to have a defibrillator on premises, the Safe Work Australia Code of Practice still encourages it as good practice for businesses and industries. Ultimately though, the use of Automated External Defibrillators is at the discretion of individual workplaces.

Keeping Defibrillators in the Workplace

Workplace Defibrillator Bundles

With over 25,000 cardiac arrests occurring every year across Australia, the benefit to keeping a defibrillator in the workplace couldn’t be clearer. Like first aid kits, AEDs are a valuable provision that can go a long way in improving the safety and survival of both employees and customers in the event of a medical emergency.

However, to ensure that AEDs can be deployed effectively in workplace settings, it is imperative that businesses and industries initiate the following measures:

Defibrillator Placement

As with public areas, workplace AEDs should be kept in a central location with clear signage to enhance visibility so that they can be easily identified in an emergency cardiac situation. AEDs should also be placed in easily accessible locations where they can be readily retrieved by any employee or member of the public.

For high-risk workplaces where employees are exposed to hazardous environments and activities (e.g. chemical and mechanical work), it’s important to place AEDs in or near these high-risk locations to allow for quick and easy access.

Defibrillator Set Up

When you first purchase an AED for your workplace, you may be required to carry out some simple preliminary steps to ensure the device is operational and ready for use. This often includes installing the pads and battery within the device as well as ensuring the status indicator on the front of the device is flashing green (depending on the make/model). It’s important that this set-up be conducted upon installation since this will save valuable time in the event of an emergency.

Defibrillator Training

While training is not necessarily required in order to operate an AED, it is highly recommended that employees, employers and other potential users of workplace AEDs undertake first aid training along with subsequent refresher courses.

Defibrillator Maintenance

Though AEDs perform regular self-tests to ensure continued usability and functionality, workplaces will often still need to administer routine maintenance in the form of simple checks, such as:
• Inspecting the device for any signs of wear or damage
• Reviewing expiry dates of particular components
• Ensuring the Status Indicator is functioning normally

For more information on Defibrillator or workpolace options, talk to an Australian Defibrillator expert on: 07 5520 5068