AED's (automated external defibrillator) are used on individuals who have suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is the immediate and unexpected cessation of a productive heartbeat. According to the American Red Cross, 300,000 people fall victim to sudden cardiac arrest each year. Of that number, only one in 20 people survive. These deaths potentially could have been prevented if someone had initiated the Cardiac Chain of Survival.
Cardiac Chain of Survival
The Cardiac Chain of Survival consists of four steps:
Early access to care (calling 911 or another emergency number)
Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Early defibrillation
Early advanced cardiac life support as needed
The third step is recognized as the most critical step in restoring cardiac rhythm and resuscitating a victim of sudden cardiac arrest.
Portable AED's make it possible for first responders, such as police, firefighters and security officers, as well as other rescuers who have been properly trained, to administer defibrillation.
How AED's Save Lives
When a heart attack becomes a full cardiac arrest, the heart most often goes into uncoordinated electrical activity called fibrillation. The heart’s muscle fibers begin to contract individually and chaotically instead of together, and the heart stops pumping. According to the American Heart Association, a person’s chance of survival decreases by 7% to 10% for every minute that goes by without defibrillation. An AED is used to send a controlled electric shock to the heart muscle, momentarily stunning the heart and, hopefully, jolting it back to regular rhythm.
An AED analyzes the heart rhythm with a computer in just a few seconds and advises the rescuer whether a shock is required. If no shock is required, the machine doesn’t charge up, preventing an accidental shock. AEDs are proven to be 90% sensitive (able 90% of the time to detect a rhythm that should be defibrillated) and 99% specific (able 99% of the time to recommend not shocking when defibrillation is not indicated).
AED's enable more people, such as security officers, to respond to sudden cardiac arrest emergencies and to help save lives!
AED's are located in each of our building. Locations include:
Belfair Elementary (1) - Nurses room in the Main Office
Sand Hill Elementary (1) - Nurses room in the Main Office
Hawkins Middle School (4) -
Nurses room in the Main Office
East hall entering classroom wing
West hall exit
Basement Stadium exit
High School (5) -
Nurses room in the Attendance Office
Second floor classroom hall
Sports Med Office
Football Practice field exit
Gym
For more information on AED's:
