Awareness of AED in First-Aid: A Must Known for Everyone for saving lives in emergencies.

There is a rapid increase in cases of Heart Attack rates. A rise in deaths due to heart attacks are predominantly being seen in India too. Well, in the majority of the cases, lack of providing first-aid needed in emergency cases have resulted in death rates due to heart attack. Providing an First- aid to the casualty of heart attack (like Cardio pulmonary resuscitation- also known as CPR) given to the patient till the medical aid is arrived will surely save a life. What I wanted to discuss in this article is about AED (Automated External Defibrillator), an advanced equipment which can be utilised in saving lives, this equipment has already been placed in most of the developed countries across the world. What, we, the common people do not know is that this advanced machine, used during emergencies of cardiac arrest or acute chest pain, This equipment are also being placed in India Cities too. 

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Places where AED's are installed in Kerala:

• Cochin International Airport in Nedumbassery. (International and Domestic terminal)
• 1st Platform in Ernakulam Railway Station.
• It is also reported that AED's will be installed in Metro Stations and Water metro terminals.
• Lulu Mall, Kochi
• Hospital in all major cities.
• Trivandrum central Railway Station. 

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is an device that checks the heart functioning of the causality ( the person in cardiac arrest) and delivers the needed rate of electrical shock, if the heart stops beating. When the heart stops beating, then the blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs resulting in cell level death ultimately causing death of the causality within minutes. An rapid shock given to the heart can restart the functioning of heart, which is called defibrillation . Defibrillation is the thing which this AED machine does saving the life of the patient till the proper medical aid is received to the patient. 

Why it is called Automated instead of Automatic?

Well, Automatic is the term that the device will work by itself without human effort. It is pre-programmed setup instructed to do the specific work. Whereas Automated means it needs human intervention. The Automated external defibrillator gives step- by- step voice instructions to the aider (person helping causality) through out the entire process.   

So, How can we know that the patient is suffering from heart attack or acute chest pain? 

Look out the the following signs and symptoms before cardiac arrest-

1. Crushing chest pain spreading to one or both arms.
2. Breathlessness.
3. Discomfort in upper abdomen.
4. Sudden fainting.
5. Bluish discolouration of skin- indicating lack of oxygen.
6. Profuse sweating.
7. Rapid and weak pulse.  

Symptoms of Sudden cardiac arrest-

1. Sudden collapse
2. No pulse
3. No Breathing
4. No consciousness. 

Next, How should you handle if you ever happened to witness Cardiac arrest.

• Help the causality in half sitting position.
• Reassure them.
• Check their consciousness, pulse and breathing. (CPB)
• If no Consciousness, pulse and breathing. Call Emergency Medical Services (EMS)- Ambulance. If you are trained to do CPR and has knowledge regarding it, do it immediately within 4 to 5 minutes itself till patient regains consciousness.
• If conscious and patient is carrying tablets for cardiac issues like angina, help them to take medication.
•  Wait for the Ambulance to take patient to Cardiac Hospital.

If AED is located in your surroundings as mentioned in above said said places:

• Above instructions to be followed, In meantime CPR has to be given and ask any bystanders to rush to get AED location and alert the station master/ manager if in Railway station or Metro stations or any other officials. Bring the AED along with the authorities. Handling an AED is simple, it has to be done as the machine instructs. It involves 4 steps:

1. POWER-ON AED.
2. Attach the electrode pads as in the picture. (On which side the pads to sticked are mentioned on it)
3. The machine analyses the heart functioning ( In this time withdraw CPR).
4. Clear off from the causality, don't touch him and don't let others touch him.
5. If AED suggests of giving shock, making sure everyone if cleared off from the victim, press SHOCK button. 

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The only thing we have to do is, do as per AED's instruction and give proper CPR. 
This equipment can automatically diagnose potentially life threatening cardiac cases and helps in correcting the heart beatings. 

Precautions to be taken- 

1. Do not touch the patient during defibrillation.
2. Not use AED in Moving vehicles.
3. Don't use AED on causality who is wet and don't wipe the chest with alcohol based content.
4. Don't place the patient on conductive surface like sheet metals.
5.  Don not use AED in children.

Technology when used correctly can efficiently will save a life. My sincere advice to all age groups is to learn how to do CPR- it should and must be learned as a basic knowledge. It's not that you have to be in medical field to learn about it. ALSO, Don't panic and be calm in emergency situation. A first- aid given at right time can save a life.