Total Package Provided

We recommend your program include emergency oxygen in addition to the defibrillator, CPR training and proper planning.

Over the past few years the slogan "CPR + AED + 911 = SAVE, has become common knowledge in public access defibrillation. Granted there have been saves. But, the question is whether there could have been more saves or better outcomes (see case study).

It is our opinion that the slogan overlooks several major problems in attending to victims possibly in sudden cardiac arrest, they are:

·         the victim may not be in ventricular fibrillation, e.g. the victim is breathing although not perceived by the rescuer, in which case the defibrillator is of no value. More than likely the responder won't know until the AED advises whether or not a shock is indicated shock. That process may take several minutes during which the victim is without a supplemental oxygen source.

·         the victim may be hypoxic (oxygen deprivation) and not respond to defibrillation.

·         the victim may revert back to ventricular fibrillation because of an inadequate oxygen supply, post defibrillation.

·         defibrillation with CPR has been touted as equivalent to oxygen assisted defibrillation. No distinction has been made.

The Old Way

The first sequence of photos is taken from a brochure illustrating one of the defibrillation processes.

a b c

a The victim is without a supplemental oxygen source during a substantial part of the defibrillation process, particularly if multiple shocks are required.

b CPR cannot be given while the defibrillator is analyzing the victim's cardiac rhythm.

c It is difficult to perform mouth to mask CPR while someone else is prepping the victim for the AED.

A Better Way

The second set of photos shows the defibrillation process using the
 AUTOMATED First Aid Oxygen unit.

a b c d

a Take AED/Oxygen --- b Take Mask --- c Place on face --- d Defibrillate the victim

The above pictures illustrate supplemental O2 from the emergency oxygen unit is being drawn into the lungs if the victim is breathing or blown in if assisted by CPR. On successful defibrillation, the victim is breathing O2 enriched air.
and not just air!

Deployment

Establishing an automated external defibrillator program is an important step toward preventing death from sudden cardiac arrest in your organization and your community. In addition to purchasing AEDs, there are several other steps involved in implementing and managing a comprehensive AED program.

Physician Oversight

Physician prescription and oversight are important elements of an AED program. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires a prescription to purchase an AED, and most states also require that a physician oversee an AED program. 

Training

Certified training is an essential element of any successful AED program.

Response Planning

A professionally developed deployment and emergency response plan will help ensure the swiftest possible response time to a cardiac arrest patient. Based on information gathered through site surveys, safety response teams, and facility management, the plan will identify internal notification issues, appropriately trained responders and emergency services notification. The plan will also identify opportunities to develop general emergency awareness among all employees.

Site Surveys

Cardiac arrest survival is dramatically affected by response times, and each setting has unique considerations. Whether predominantly outdoors, in a busy urban high rise, a large manufacturing plant, or in a remote rural community, these settings can present challenges to providing effective emergency response for sudden cardiac arrest. We will assist you in determining the optimal placement and number of AEDs needed to give Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) victims the best possible chance of survival.

AED Maintenance

Establishing an automated external defibrillator program is an important step toward preventing death from sudden cardiac arrest in your organization and your community, and AED maintenance is critical.