Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) kills more than 500,000 Americans each year, making it the #1 health care problem and leading cause of death in the United States. This is equivalent to the entire population of the cities of Sacramento, Kansas City, or Atlanta being wiped out in one year, or nearly one death every minute. Breast cancer, stroke, and AIDS claim fewer lives combined. In SCA, the heart suddenly stops beating normally. The electrical impulses that control the rhythm of the heart become so disorganized that the heart begins to quiver and can no longer effectively pump oxygenated blood to the brain and the body's vital organs, and death occurs within minutes. CPR cannot reverse ventricular fibrillation (VF), the chaotic cardiac rhythm most often seen in SCA victims; prompt external defibrillation is the only known effective treatment to halt sudden cardiac arrest.
Why is Early Defibrillation Important?
In many cases, SCA can be reversed with early defibrillation -- the use of a defibrillator to shock the heart back into normal rhythm by means of an electric current. To be most effective, defibrillation must occur as soon as possible after the onset of SCA. According to the AHA, each minute of delay in delivering a defibrillation shock to a cardiac arrest victim reduces the chances of survival by 10 percent. The average response time nationally for emergency medical personnel equipped with defibrillators is 11 minutes or more in an urban setting. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) works to temporarily circulate blood to vital organs; however, CPR cannot restore a patient's heart to a healthy rhythm.
How much do AEDs Cost?
Not as much as you think. Many AEDs now cost less than a midlevel laptop computer. In fact some AEDs cost less than $1000.00. Also keep in mind cost has nothing to do with how well the AED works. All AEDs are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and each AED cannot be released for public use until it is thoroughly tested.
Most individual think they will be taken to court if they use an AED. That though process is simply false because there are state and federal laws that protect the AED user.
Most organizations think they will be a risk for having an AED on their property. Their thought is that they will get a law suit against them if someone misuses the AED on their property. This though is also false and in fact those organizations that do not have an AED face a greater threat because there have now been several successful law suites against organizations for not having an AED. Keep in mind that having an AED does not mean that you simply hand the AED up and walk away. In order to defend yourself (or company) you need to prove you have a company like AED Solution making sure you are medically compliant with state AED laws.
Do I need a prescription for an AED?
We offer this for free with purchase of AED
Yes. All AEDs are prescription devices. The FDA requires authorization by prescription from a licensed physician for all sales of AEDs in the United States. AED Solution can also provide medical direction for an AED program.
Can I hurt someone by using an AED?
AEDs are designed to be safely and easily used by anyone with minimal training. The AED analyzes the heart's rhythms through the electrode pads placed on the victim's chest and advises whether a defibrillation shock is needed. Therefore, delivering a defibrillation shock requires very little decision making on the part of the rescuer. Once the electrode pads are placed, it is a two-step process to deliver a shock. To become a “certified user” of an AED, you usually must complete a training class. Training requirements vary from state to state. Training is available through Love Health Service or we can help assist you in locating a local AED training center. Please ask our customer service department for this free assistance.
What are Good Samaritan Laws?
Good Samaritan laws grant immunity to volunteers who assist strangers in emergency situations, including using an AED on another person. These laws vary from state to state but generally limit or eliminate the liability of a volunteer rescuer. Under most of these laws, liability is also limited or eliminated for the physician who provides medical authorization, the trainer and the deployment personnel, the premises owners and other enablers of an AED program. Good Samaritan AED legislation has been passed in all 50 states and in the District of Columbia. In addition, Federal Good Samaritan Legislation has been enacted under the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (CASA).
