AED First Aid Training: The Importance of Defibrillators

You may have noticed more defibrillators being installed, whether that is in your workplace or your local area- all because of the life saving cause they serve – AED first-aid training save lives.

While a defibrillator is equipped with technology that interprets a person’s heart rhythm while giving voice commands to the person operating it, getting AED first aid training is a great advantage. 

Having one of these nearby gives people a sense of security in knowing that in the case of an emergency, they have a better chance. 

 

Every second matters in an emergency situation and knowing exactly what to do and going about it quickly will increase a victim’s chance of surviving. 

A person who’s suffering from cardiac arrest survival decreases by 7% to 10% every minute without defibrillation, so it’s so important to be fast and efficient with everything you do in this situation. 

What Exactly is an AED?

AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator and it’s a device with a built-in computer that can create an electric shock to the heart of someone suffering from cardiac arrest.

It first assesses a patient’s heart rhythm to determine whether shock is needed, and voices everything out loud so that the person accompanying the victim can follow any instructions and be aware of what’s happening.

Portable defibrillators were first introduced back in the 1960s and have been saving lives ever since. 

aed first-aid training

How do Automated External Defibrillators work?

These portable devices are found in a lot of public places and the main goal of them is to restore a normal heart rhythm to a person suffering from cardiac arrest- using a shock. 

You can usually find the following in an AED

  • Face Shield
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Towel
  • Scissors (to cut through any pieces of clothing)
  • Razer (To shave any chest hair)

 

The most important thing about defibrillators is that they can check a person’s heart rate and use that information to advise on the best action to take. 

Being a computer, it’s highly accurate which is one of the reasons why it’s so successful in saving lives globally.

How to Use a Defibrillator (part of AED first-aid training)

  • Turn on AED and listen to audio instructions. 
  • Open the victim’s shirt, exposing the chest and wipe it dry. 
  • Attach AED pads and plug. 
  • Do not touch the person once the Defibrillator is on. 
  • Push button to let Defibrillator analyse heart rhythm. 
  • If AED instructs you to send electric shock, push the button.
  • After the shock, administer CPR and follow instructions on AED. 
  • You should perform CPR if the defibrillator does not suggest a shock and continue following instructions. 

 

Harberry first aid training in NI is keen on providing people with necessary first aid training and AED operator courses. 

Early defibrillation and effective CPR are crucial in the chain of survival within cardiac arrest victims, undergoing an AED training course could save a life. 

Meeting the HSE and Resuscitation Council training recommendations for use of AED, Harberry training is fully licenced and professional in their training deliveries. 

In only 3 hours you’ll be trained in the following:

  • Cardiovascular and respiratory systems
  • Ventricular Fibrillation and Sudden
  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Defibrillation
  • Adult and child CPR
  • Practical use of AED
  • Care and maintenance of AED

If you’re considering joining this training course, it will be worth your while, and the person’s you could possibly save thanks to this. 

You can book your AED first-aid training course with us today. 

If you’re interested in other training, please have a look at the various  first-aid training courses available.

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