Featherstone AED Fund

 

What is an AED?

AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator

 

What does it do?

When someone suffers cardiac arrest it is used to deliver an electric shock through the chest to the heart. The shock stops an irregular heart rhythm and allows a normal rhythm to resume so restarting the heart.


What is cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of heart function. This can happen to anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Cardiac arrest is not heart attack but very often follows a heart attack.


In the UK alone around 30,000 people suffer cardiac arrest outside of hospital. Around 250 per day that die from cardiac arrest. 


50% of all deaths are due to cardiac arrest. 


Early defibrillation is the only effective treatment for cardiac arrest. Evidence shows that this is the single most important factor in survival. If defibrillation is provided promptly, survival rates can be as high as 75%. The chances of survival decline at a rate of around 10% with each minute of delayd treatment. An AED being present and being used promptly is vital to the success of survival for anyone suffering cardiac arrest. Please do not be afraid to access this machine if it is needed.

The PUBLIC ACCESS AED 

(Automated External Defibrillator)


The AED machine is located inside this cabinet. 


The machine we have provided for Featherstone is for public access. Simply phone 999 and the operator will give you the keypad code to remove the defibrillator. Further down this page are links to some videos to show how easy the AED is for everyone to use. 


Featherstone is lucky to also have Emergency Community Responders who could be on the scene within a couple of minutes. If they are not on duty the average response time for an ambulance for Featherstone is 8 minutes. In this time the casualty has lost most of their quality of life and could even be dead. 

Once you have been given the keypad code remove the AED 

This is what the machine looks like.


1) Once with the casualty, push the green button to switch the machine on. 

2) The machine will now talk you through everything you need to do and with your phone on speaker  the 999 operator will also be there to guide you.

2) Remove the backing from the adhesive pads and place them on the chest as per the diagram.

3) The AED machine will tell you the next step. It may ask you to do CPR or it may ask you to stand clear while it analyses the casualty. 

4) The AED will tell you what to do next.

5) It will only let you shock the patient if the analysis says to do so.

6) If you are advised to 'Shock' the patient you MUST push the red button. You can do no harm as the casualty is clinically dead.  If you do not shock the casualty WILL die.

7) Continue to do what the machine asks you to do until the ambulance arrives.

For a familiarisation or demo of this AED please click here or on the AED picture above

 

This video shows the same defibrillator but a training version hence the colour difference. To view the video please click here or on the yellow picture to the left hand side


You can hear how clear the voice prompts are. These will guide you through exactly what you need to do.


The example here of the CPR (Cardio Pulmonery Resusitation) is not the best. The compression needs to be much deeper and faster. However please bear in mind that any attempt, no matter what your ability to save a life is better than no attempt. Remember whilst you are doing this the ambulance is on its way. Keep going as long as you can.


We will post further information and videos to demonstrate CPR below. 


** This above video does not show how to deliver a shock. To see and hear the voice prompts if you are required to give a shock please see the alternative video below**

This short demo training video will enable you to see and hear the voice prompts if you are required to give a shock to the patient. Please click here or the heart on the left hand side to view the 'shock' video


You will hear them mention a 'bare chest' and to shave away any hair before applying the pads. This is to enable the electronic pads to adhere efficiently to the chest. In the AED cabinet there is a small clear plastic pouch which contains a clean disposable razor to shave any chest hair away. It also contains a pair of disposable rubber gloves, sterile wipes and a face shield for delivering rescue breaths. Rescue breaths are not 100% necessary for adults, though they can help.


Our next update will provide more information on CPR. Pop back soon to view our latest information.

 

07599 151616      

Featherstone AED Fund

9 Dunlin Drive,

Featherstone,

Wolverhampton, W10 7TG