AEDs

Caring for a Victim with Hypothermia - If the victim is not breathing and does not have a pulse:

-Begin CPR until an AED becomes available. -Follow local protocols regarding whether you should use an AED in this situation.

When operating an AED, also follow these general precautions:

-Do not use alcohol to wipe the victim's chest dry. *Alcohol is flammable. -Do not touch the victim while the AED is analyzing. *Touching or moving the victim may affect analysis. -Before shocking a victim with an AED, make sure that no one is touching or is in contact with the victim or any resuscitation equipment. -Do not touch the victim while the device is defibrillating. You or someone else could be shocked. -Do not defibrillate someone when around flammable or combustible materials, such as gasoline or free-flowing oxygen. -Do not use an AED in a moving vehicle. Movement may affect the analysis. -Do not use an AED on a victim wearing a nitroglycerin patch or other medical patch on the chest. *With a gloved hand, remove any patches from the chest before attaching the device. Never place AED pads directly on top of medication patches. -Do not use a mobile phone or radio within 6 feet of the AED. *Electromagnetic and infrared interference generated by radio signals can disrupt analysis.

If the victim is in water:

-Remove the victim from the water before defibrillation. *A shock delivered in water could harm rescuers or bystanders. -Be sure there are no puddles of water around you, the victim or the AED. -Remove wet clothing to place the AED pads properly, if necessary. -Dry the victim's chest and attach the AED pads.

Caring for a Victim with Hypothermia - If the victim is wet:

-Remove wet clothing, dry the victim's chest and protect the victim from further heat loss. -Attach the AED pads. -If a shock is indicated, deliver it, following the instructions of the AED. -Follow local protocols regarding whether additional shocks should be delivered. -Do not withhold CPR or defibrillation to warm the victim. -Be careful not to unnecessarily shake a victim who has experienced hypothermia as this could result in an irregular heart rhythm.

Using an AED—Child or Infant

AEDs equipped with pediatric AED pads are capable of delivering lower levels of energy appropriate for infants and children up to 8 years old or weighing less than 55 pounds. Use pediatric AED pads and/or equipment, if available. If pediatric-specific equipment is not available, an AED designed for adults can be used on children and infants. Always follow local protocols, medical direction and the manufacturer's instructions.

AED on someone pregnant

Defibrillation shocks transfer no significant electrical current to the fetus. Follow local protocols and medical direction.

AED on metal surfaces

It is safe to deliver a shock to a victim experiencing cardiac arrest on a metal surface, such as bleachers, as long as appropriate safety precautions are taken. Care should be taken that AED pads do not contact the conductive (metal) surface and that no one is touching the victim when the shock button is pushed

Chest Hair

Some men have excessive chest hair that may cause difficulty with AED pad-to-skin contact. -Press firmly on the AED pads to attach them to the victim's chest. If you get a "Check pads" or similar message from the AED, remove the pads and replace with new ones. -If you continue to get the "Check pads" message, remove the AED pads, carefully shave the victim's chest and attach new AED pads to the victim's chest.

Using an AED—Adult

When cardiac arrest occurs, use an AED as soon as it is ready to use. *If CPR is in progress, continue until the AED is turned on, the AED pads are applied and the AED is ready to analyze the heart rhythm.

AED with Jewelry and body piercings

You do not need to remove jewelry and body piercings when using an AED. Leaving them on the victim does no harm. -do not place the AED pads directly over metallic jewelry or body piercings. Adjust AED pad placement if necessary

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)

a miniature version of an AED

If the implanted device is visible or you know that the victim has one:

do not place the AED pads directly over the device. This may interfere with the delivery of the shock. Adjust AED pad placement if necessary and continue to follow the AED instructions. *Follow any special precautions associated with ICDs, but do not delay performing CPR and using an AED.

Hypothermia

is a life-threatening condition in which the entire body cools because its ability to keep warm fails. -Some people who have experienced hypothermia have been resuscitated successfully even after prolonged exposure to the cold.

Other AED protocols, such as delivering three shocks and then performing CPR, are:

neither wrong nor harmful to the victim. Follow the instructions of the AED device you are using

AEDs are:

portable electronic devices that analyze the heart's rhythm and can provide defibrillation, an electrical shock that may help the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm

Pacemakers are:

small implantable devices sometimes located in the are below the right collarbone, though they can be placed elsewhere

If it is raining or snowing with the victim:

take steps to make sure that the victim is as dry as possible and sheltered from the rain. -Ensure that the victim's chest is wiped dry. -Do not delay defibrillation when taking steps to create a dry environment. -AEDs are very safe, even in rain and snow, when all precautions and manufacturer's operating instructions are followed. -Avoid getting the AED or AED pads wet

For defibrillators to perform properly:

they must be maintained, as with any machine. -AEDs require minimal maintenance, but rescuers should be familiar with the various visual and audible prompts to warn of malfunction or low battery. -AEDs should be checked periodically and should have a fully charged backup battery and correct AED pads. -Used accessories, including pads, should be replaced before the AED is placed back in service.

If you are not sure whether the victim has an implanted device:

use the AED as needed. It will not harm the victim or the rescuer.

If a victim is experiencing cardiac arrest as a result of traumatic injuries:

you may still use an AED. Administer defibrillation according to local protocols