You have the power to save a life
Sudden cardiac arrest is completely unpredictable. It can strike anyone at any time immediately and without warning. The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that it is reversible in most victims if it’s treated within a few minutes. With cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an AED, survival rates increase to 38%.
Reed more about what is sudden cardiac arrest and what is the causes of it.
Get involved and be QUICK
The possibility of saving a sudden cardiac arrest victim depends on the immediate bystander intervention. There may not be enough time to wait for professional rescuers to arrive at the scene.
If the heart receives an electric shock with a defibrillator, within minutes after collapse,
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Learn more about the steps for performing CPR correctly in this article: CPR… Your Way to save Lives.
4. Use an AED as soon as it arrives.
CPR alone cannot fully resuscitate a person in SCA. It does nothing to restore normal heart rhythm, it only helps circulate oxygenated blood to the heart and brain. CPR must be followed within minutes by early defibrillation.
When the AED arrives, turn it on and it will give you step-by-step instructions on how to use it.
• Attach the AED electrode pads to the person 's chest. Place one pad to the upper right area of the person 's chest, and the other to the lower left area of the chest.
Correct placement enables the electric current to pass through the heart.
• Press the AED 's "analyze" button. It will check to see if the person has a pulse and it will determine if a heart rhythm is shockable.
• If a shock is needed, the AED will direct you to press the “Shock” button, then, it will delivers a highly effective defibrillation waveform to the heart.
All you want to know about AEDs, how to use it and where it should be placed in this article: The Spark of Life.
5. Resume CPR for two minutes until pulse returns or help