Gorman and Associates CPR

AED FAQs

The AED

Question: What is an AED?
Answer: AED stands for "Automatic External Defibrillator." An AED is used to administer an electric shock to a person who is having a cardiac arrest. AEDs are designed to allow non-medical personnel to save lives.

Q: How does an AED work?
A: Two pads, connected to the AED, are placed on the patient's chest. A computer inside the AED analyzes the patient's heart rhythm and determines if a shock is required to save the victim. If a shock is required, the AED uses voice instructions to guide the user through saving the person's life.

The Need for an AED

Q: Why do we need AEDs?
A: AEDs save lives. When a person has a sudden cardiac arrest ("SCA"), their heart's regular rhythm becomes chaotic or arrhythmic. Every minute that the heart is not beating lowers the odds of survival by 7% to 10%. After 10 minutes without defibrillation very few people survive.

Q: What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)?
A: Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart's normal heart rhythm suddenly becomes chaotic. The heart can no longer pump the blood effectively and the victim collapses, stops breathing, becomes unresponsive, and has no detectable pulse. When used on a victim of SCA, the AED can be used to administer a life-saving electric shock that restores the heart's rhythm to normal.

Q: Is SCA the same as a heart attack?
A: No. Both the heart attack (myocardial infarction) and a sudden cardiac arrest have to do with the heart, but they are different problems. SCA is an electrical problem; a heart attack is a "plumbing" problem. Sometimes a heart attack, which may not be fatal in itself, can trigger a sudden cardiac arrest.

Q: Who can have a SCA?
A: Anyone, anytime. Children can have SCAs, teenagers can have SCAs, athletes can have SCAs, old people can have SCAs. Although the risk of SCA increases with age and in people with heart problems, a large percentage of the victims are people with no known risk factors.

Q: What does the American Heart Association say about AEDs?
A: The AHA strongly supports having AEDs in public areas such as sports arenas, office complexes, schools, doctors' offices, shopping malls, airports, and other public places. The AHA also advocates that all police and fire and rescue vehicles be equipped with an AED.

The Treatment for SCA

Q: What is the recommended treatment for SCA?
A: Defibrillation is the only treatment proven to restore a normal heart rhythm.

Q: How much time do I have to respond if someone has a sudden cardiac arrest?
A: Only minutes. Defibrillate within 3 minutes and the chances of survival are 70%. After 10 minutes, the chances of survival are negligible.

Q: I know CPR; wouldn't it help?
A: CPR only buys a little more time – potentially giving the victim a small amount of extra time until a defibrillator arrives. But SCA ultimately requires a shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. As a result, most CPR training now also includes AED training.

Easy to Use

Q: Is an AED complicated to use?
A: AEDs are very easy to use. An AED can be used by practically anyone who has been shown what to do. In fact, there are a number of cases where people with no training at all have saved lives.

Q: Can a non-medical person make a mistake when using an AED?
A: AEDs are safe to use by anyone who has been shown how to use them. The AED's voice guides the rescuer through the steps involved in saving someone; for example, "apply pads to patient's bare chest" (the pads themselves have pictures of where they should be placed) and "press red shock button." Furthermore, safeguards have been designed into the unit precisely so that non-medical responders can't use the AED to shock someone who doesn't need a shock.

Q: Can the AED itself make a mistake?
A: It is unlikely. Studies show that AEDs interpret the victim's heart rhythm more quickly and accurately than many trained emergency professionals. If the AED determines that no shock is needed, it will not allow a shock to be given.

Q: Can I be sued if I help someone suffering from SCA?
A: State and federal "Good Samaritan" laws cover users who, in good faith, attempt to save a person from death. To date, there are no known judgments against anyone who used an AED to save someone's life.

Q: Has anyone been revived by using the Defibtech AED?
A: Even though the Defibtech AED has only been on the market since 2003, it has already saved a number of people's lives.

Maintenance

Q: How often must I change batteries?
A: The Defibtech AED comes with a lithium battery pack that is available in a 5 or 7-year size. If the unit is used frequently, the battery pack may have to be replaced more often. The AED will inform the user when the battery pack needs to be replaced.

Q: What else do I need to do to keep my AED in working order?
A: The pad package must be replaced every two years. Otherwise, the AED performs automatic self-checks on a regular basis to test its operational readiness. If anything is not fully functional, the unit will make a loud chirp and flash a red light warning the owner that servicing may be required.

Buying an AED

Q: Can anyone buy an AED?
A: Anyone can buy an AED. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) rules require a physician's prescription (AEDs are manufactured and sold under guidelines approved by the Food and Drug Administration) before the Lifeline AED can be delivered.

Q: What features should I look for in an AED?
A: Look for 1) an AED that is easy for non-medical people to use, 2) an AED that is technically reliable, and 3) one that is reasonably priced. Defibtech's AED more than meets all three requirements.

Q: Why is the Defibtech AED better than other AEDs?
A: Defibtech designed the unit from the ground up, building on a foundation of previous AED-related knowledge and incorporating a number of design and technological innovations. As a result, the Defibtech AED is a state-of-the-art defibrillator designed for the non-medical person. Advanced design techniques and robotic assembly allow Defibtech to sell their AED at the lowest price in the market.

Q: What is your warranty?
A: The Defibtech AED is warranteed for five years.

Q: Will Medicare pay for or assist with the purchase of a defibrillator?
A: To learn more about Medicare coverage of Automated External Defibrillators, please contact Medicare's DMERC (Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier) resource center for details at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY/TDD 1-877-486-2048 8:00am to 5:30pm EST)

Q: How do I buy the Defibtech AED?
A: Contact Gorman & Associates at 1.888.941.1CPR (1277) or email us at: training@gormancpr.com