(818) 766-1111
(818) 766-1111
  • Select Your Desired
    Course or Career Below!
  • Classes & Certifications
    • ACLS Classes
      ACLS Certification
      ACLS Re-Certification
      ACLS Online
      ACLS Instructor
      BLS Classes
      BLS Certification
      BLS Re-Certification
      BLS Online
      BLS Instructor
      PALS Classes
      PALS Certification
      PALS Re-Certification
      PALS Online
      PALS Instructor
      CPR Classes
      CPR First AID & AED Course
      Spanish CPR First AID & AED Course
      EMSA Childcare CPR First Aid
      ECG and Pharmacology
      ECG and Pharmacology
      Adult ECG Rhythms Online
      Pediatric ECG Rhythms Online
      Advanced ECG Online
      Misc Courses
      MAB AB 508
      MAB AB 508 Online
      Wound Care
      Hospital Fire and Safety
      Preventative Health/Lead
      Specialty Courses
      Critical Care Course
      Critical Care Course Online
      Vent & Trach Course
      IV Therapy for RNs
      IV Therapy for LVNs
      Restorative Nurse Online
      Tutoring and Test Prep
      TEAS Test Tutoring Online
      Study Guides
      CNA State Exam Review
      AHA Package Deals
  • Career Programs
    • Phlebotomist
      Certified Nurse Assistant
      EKG Monitor Technician
      Home Health Aide
      CNA Hybrid Program – Online
      EKG Program – Online
      Medical Assistant – Online
      Medical Billing & Coding – Online
      Pharmacy Technician – Online
      CEUs and Test Prep
      CNA CEUs
      CNA State Exam Review
      Study Guides
      TEAS Test Tutoring Online
  • Online Courses
    • Online AHA Classes
      ACLS Online
      BLS Online
      PALS Online
      Heartsaver CPR First Aid AED
      Critical Care Course Online
      AHA Package Deals
      Online ECG
      Adult ECG Rhythms Online
      Pediatric ECG Rhythms Online
      Advanced ECG Online
      Online Career Programs
      CNA Hybrid Program
      EKG Program Online
      Medical Assistant
      Medical Billing & Coding
      Pharmacy Technician
      Misc Courses
      MAB AB 508 Online
      Wound Care
      Restorative Nurse Online
      Trach Vent Training
  • Services
    • On-Site Training
      Mobile AHA Training
      On-Site CPR Training
      Corporate Training
      Specials
      AHA Package Deals
      Group Discounts
      Resources
      TEAS Test Tutoring Online
      Study Guides
      CNA State Exam Review
      News and Blog
  • About Us
    • Our Standards
      Our Mission
      Our Vision
      Our Values
      Our Policies
      About Us
      Our Team
      Photo Gallery
      Our Partners
      Our Blog
      Contact Us
  • Register Now
  1. Home
  2. Scholarship
  3. The Priority of AED Availability

The Priority of AED Availability

[kkstarratings id=2891]

Essay by: ISP091   

Where will the nearest AED be when you need it most? Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) must be installed in populous public places. The University of Washington contends that at least two hundred and fifty thousand deadly cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States every year. A large percentage of these deaths are preventable if the people nearby during the cardiac arrest knew where to find an AED. Up to 70% of these cardiac arrests are of the variety that can be solved by defibrillation via AED. Issues surrounding the expansion of AED availability require discussion about what is an AED, the device’s significance during a suspected cardiac arrest, the ease of use for the operator, the benefits of AED-CPR resuscitation versus cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) only, and the logistics of maintaining AED stations.

An AED is a battery powered device which delivers an electrical shock to a person in cardiac arrest or when the heart is not beating efficiently. This shock is delivered from adhesive pads on the chest when the device detects that the patient’s heart rhythm is irregular and requires defibrillation. Every minute that goes by when a cardiac arrest strikes decreases the person’s chances of survival by up to 10%. The physiologic damage as a section of the human body is deprived of essential blood flow is also exponentially worse as time passes during cardiac arrest. Average response time by emergency medical personnel is about 10 minutes though making civilians on the scene paramount to the person’s health.

There was a time when only trained healthcare professionals were trusted to use a defibrillator. However, modern AEDs are remarkably straightforward in that they have speakers listing off transparent instructions to the operator as well as visual cues. AED training is unnecessary as any bystander would be able to follow the directions automated by the device. If a cardiac arrest happens to a child, there is also pediatric AED sized shock pads (for ages 1-8) provided in AED sets. These deliver a smaller but more appropriate shock to the patient; however adult sized pads are still indicated if they are the only option. An AED may be simple in its process but it is also a more effective way to assist in the event of a suspected cardiac arrest.

An AED is able to restart the heart while CPR will only act as a temporary pump. A Harvard study showed that CPR-AED combination resuscitation had a survival rate more than 60% greater than CPR alone. An AED could give enough clarity to that responder who is uncertain about CPR technique to save a life. CPR on its own is also exhausting for single responder situations and technique worsens as the responder physically wears out. Even if a bystander knows CPR, they may not have the confidence or skill to perform it properly. The general public may not understand that cardiac arrest can occur to individuals of any age and health state. Of course in any medical emergency, the first and most important action is to call 911 for urgent emergency medical services though if possible this should be delegated to another person on the scene other than the AED operator. An AED is a machine but luckily they are easily maintained and should be installed to be easily accessible.

AEDs must be highly visible so that potential operators may find it in a stressful and clouded situation. The American Heart Association recommends that an AED be within a 3 minute distance from the patient. A child or wheelchair bound individual must also be able to reach the AED. If we were to provide AEDs to public locales, maintenance costs would not be an issue as the device has a long shelf life and the battery is easily checked for viability. Insurance companies and government agencies frequently provide financial subsidies for AED purchasers. Many states provide legal protection to the operator in the instance of providing defibrillation via AED.

The public needs to know the facts because legislation to expand AED availability must be demanded from our appointed representatives in government. In a study by resuscitation journal, 11.6% of businesses that owned an AED had used it in the last 12 months on a suspected cardiac arrest. By that percentage we can deduce that nearly thirty thousand lives can be saved yearly by the availability of a nearby AED. Logical locations for AED installation are schools, churches, parks, public transportation, athletic events, businesses, libraries, businesses, and homes. Publicly accessible AEDs are almost nonexistent compared to their need and worth. When deaths are preventable, it is our duty to fill in the gaps of the emergency response system. I hope you will remember to support AED availability before your need becomes immediate.


Back to Essays


Previous Post
A Baby’s Life
Next Post
CPR for All

Is the Certified Nurse Assistant State Exam hard?

Benefits of Becoming a Nurse!

What is Advanced Cardiac Life Support?

Importance of Continuing Education for nurses

Honoring Martin Luther King

What is Pediatric Advanced Life Support?

Rio Hondo College

CPR might come in handy when you win the lottery

Learning about Lead Poisoning as a Childcare Provider

Critical Care Course

Importance of ACLS within Healthcare

Importance of learning CPR

Student Testimonials

Contact Us

support@ACLS123.com
North Hollywood
(818) 766 – 1111
6426 Bellingham Ave North Hollywood, CA 91606
Northridge
(818) 766 – 1000
8978 Tampa Ave. Northridge, CA 91324

Get Social

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Yelp

Online Courses

  • ACLS Online
  • BLS Online
  • PALS Online
  • CPR First AID & AED Course
  • Online Critical Care Course Certification
  • Online EKG Monitor Technician
  • Online MAB AB508
  • Online Medical Assistant
  • Online Medical Billing & Coding
  • Online Medical Terminology
  • Online Pharmacy Technician
  • Online Teas Test Tutoring
  • Online Ventilator Pulmonary and Tracheostomy Training
  • Online Wound Care Course
  • CNA Online
  • Online Courses

Careers

  • Certified Nurse Assistant
  • Phlebotomy
  • EKG Monitor Technician
  • Home Health Aide
  • Online EKG Monitor Technician
  • Online Medical Assistant
  • Online Medical Billing & Coding
  • Online Pharmacy Technician

Classes & Certifications

  • ACLS Classes (All)
    • ACLS Certification
    • ACLS Recertification
    • ACLS Online
  • BLS Classes (All)
    • BLS Certification
    • BLS Recertification
    • BLS Online
  • PALS Classes (All)
    • PALS Certification
    • PALS Recertification
    • CPR Classes (All)
      • CPR First AID & AED Course
      • Spanish CPR First AID & AED Course
      • EMSA Childcare CPR First Aid
    • PALS Online
  • ECG & Pharmacology
    • ECG and Pharmacology
    • Pediatric ECG Rhythms
    • Adult ECG Rhythms
  • Hospital Fire Safety
  • Pediatric First Aid AED CPR
  • Preventive Health and Safety & Lead Poisoning Prevention
  • IV Therapy & Blood Withdrawal for LVN
  • IV Therapy & Blood Withdrawal for RN
  • Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB)
  • Online Critical Care Course Certification

Critical Care Training Center | All Rights Reserved | Copyright © 2022 | web design by Goliath Graffix