First, what is an AED and how does it work?
An Automated External Defibrillator or AED is a portable, battery operated electronic device about the size of a laptop computer. The AED automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a cardiac arrest victim and is able to treat the patient by an electrical shock which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm. AEDs are designed to be simple so that anyone can use one. So simple that I often start my classes by selecting someone from the class that has never seen an AED and I ask them to demonstrate how to use an AED by following the AEDs voice instructions. Proper use of an AED is taught in our CPR first aid classes. In most cases, the victim collapses and the rescuer checks the victim to see if they are responsive. If they do not respond, immediately send someone to dial 911 (radio for help) and send another person to get the AED. Next, we tilt the victims head
