What Is an AED?

Aed cost

How Much Does an AED Cost? Purchase Price & Funding Solutions

An automated external defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death. This small machine, more commonly known simply as an AED, is a portable version of a defibrillator. AED use is meant to be focused on anyone, including people that lack substantial medical training but find themselves responding to a cardiac emergency situation. An AED works by providing a brief electroshock to the heart, either directly or through electrodes placed on the chest. This easy-to-operate device is sophisticated, can analyze a heart’s rhythm and will send the electroshock if it is determined necessary. Such a move can serve to help the heart reset into an effective rhythm once again.

GotAED is dedicated to making AEDs more accessible and available to community youth organizations and schools across the United States. We have one focus in mind, and that is to help you protect the children that benefit from your youth programs and attend your schools. Start a campaign today!

How to Use an AED

AEDs are commonly located in offices and public buildings. Many cities, towns, and local councils have also prioritized placing them in accessible locations and public spaces.

These common placements mean more people are exposed to seeing them, and often wondering how to use an AED. AEDs are used to assist someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. While good health is often taken for granted by many of us, especially when it involves children, having access to an AED can save a life.

Knowing how to use an AED is critical, and they can be used on children over one year old. Fortunately, public AEDs are designed so that training on their use is not required, which makes learning how to use one relatively straightforward.

use an aed

The Chain of Survival: Steps to Take in a Cardiac Emergency

When a child in your care, or even an adult nearby, appears to be suffering from a cardiac arrest, there is no scarier feeling. However, rather than feel helpless, you can step in and help save a life.

  1. The immediate action to take is calling an ambulance. Make sure someone has done so. If an automated external defibrillator is not readily available, give CPR until you are able to get an AED.
  2. The moment you have access to an AED, turn it on. The AED will then begin to give you visual and verbal prompts directing you on what you need to do. Follow the prompts and continue to do so until either the ambulance arrives, or someone with substantial medical experience is able to take over.
  3. Take the pads out of the sealed pack.
  4. Remove anything clothing and wipe away any sweat on the victim’s chest. If the clothing is not easily removed, cut through it.
  5. Remove the paper backing and attach the pads to the victim’s chest:
    1. Position the pads lengthways, so the long side is in line with their body.
    2. Place the first pad on the person’s upper right side, just below the collarbone.
    3. Place the second pad on the person’s left side, just below their armpit.
  6. Once you have attached the pads, the AED will begin checking the person’s heartbeat. During this time, make sure no one is touching them. If the AED determines that the person is in need of defibrillation (a shock), it will administer them as necessary. Don’t be afraid of causing the person injury. The AED only delivers a shock when needed, and if that is the case, the person you are aiding has a heart that has stopped. Truly, you can only help!

Though tensions will likely be high during such a scenario, do your best to stay calm and continue to follow the prompts from the AED until an ambulance arrives. People suffering from sudden cardiac arrest have the greatest chance of survival if they receive a shock within 3 – 5 minutes. Since emergency responders are rarely able to arrive in that short amount of time, your intervention can save a life.

Setup and Maintenance for the AED

Fortunately, today’s AEDs include automatic maintenance, with the various brands available running regularly scheduled tests on the machines. If there ever is an issue with a particular machine, it will alert you to the issue. You should still perform your own simple check on a monthly basis.

  1. Does the device have any physical damage?
  2. Is the readiness indicator blinking green or does it have a green checkmark?
  3. Check the expiration date of the pads and batteries.
  4. Is the response kit with the AED?

An AED does require some accessory replacement — specifically the pads and batteries. Expiration dates vary by device and model so be sure to review your specific AED’s expiration dates which will be written on both the pads and the batteries. When it is time to reorder, feel free to reach out to us for assistance or visit one of our many partner’s websites directly.

aed and cpr

Having an AED Available for Your Organization

If you are here, you likely already understand how critical it is to have access to an AED. Fortunately, AEDs are designed to guide users step by step, so there is no need to panic or worry about how to operate the device.

Ready to take steps toward acquiring an AED for your organization? We’d love to help.