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The Club has Defibrillator, which is located in the entry lobby of the clubhouse by the entry alarm keypad.
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.
With simple audio and visual commands, AEDs are designed to be simple to use for the layperson, and the use of AEDs is taught in many first aid, certified first responder, and basic life support (BLS) level cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes.
Using an AED can do no harm, or make things worse - it saves lives.
An AED is a very safe and easy to use electronic device, designed to be used by a layperson.
It automatically reads the heart rhythm of someone who may have suffered a cardiac arrest and diagnoses if an electrical shock is required to restore a normal heart rhythm.
The AED’s use a series of illustrations and calm voice prompts to guide someone through the whole process, step by step.
AED’s are designed to be used by anyone. An AED will use a series of voice prompts and illustrations to give step by step guidance. It is impossible to give a shock to the heart of someone who does not need one.
How to Use a Defibrillator
Defibrillation is an electrical shock delivered to the heart designed to terminate a life-threatening arrhythmia or cardiac arrest.
The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device capable of automatically detecting a heart rhythm that requires a shock.
If you are around when someone has sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), you can follow a few simple steps to use an AED to save his life.
Step 1 - Confirm cardiac arrest
If you see a person who appears to have an emergency episode, you need to check to ensure that it is cardiac arrest before you use an AED.
Check to see if the victim is unable to respond, if he is breathing, and his pulse.
You can use the ABC method. If you find no pulse or breath, you need to start CPR.
- Airway: You need to make sure the airway is open before you check his breathing. To do this, tilt back his head and lift up his chin. If you see an object obstructing the airway, remove it.
- Breathing: Lean in closely to listen for breathing. Look to see if his chest is rising and falling.
- Circulation: Feel for a pulse. Signs of circulatory issues include colour changes, sweating, and a lower level of consciousness.
Step 2 - Try to wake the person up
If you come upon a person and you have no idea how long he has been unconscious, you need to make sure he is actually having medical problems and is not just asleep.
To try to wake him up, you can shake him, yell into his ear, or try clapping near him. If he shows no signs of waking up, confirm cardiac arrest.
- Never shake a child or infant. This can lead to serious injury.
Step 3 - Call 999
As soon as you assess that it is an emergency situation, you need to call 999. Explain to them where you are and what is going on. Let them know that you have an AED on site and that you plan to use it.
- If there is someone else there other than you, make them call 999 while you start working on the person in need. They can also run and grab the AED from its location. This way things will get done faster, which is important with SCA.
Step 4 - Start CPR
If you are not there alone, you should start giving CPR while the other person is getting the AED. If you are alone, call 999, then start CPR.
- Give 30 chest compressions and then 2 rescue breaths for every 30 chest compressions. The rescue breaths should be no longer than one second. Avoid over-ventilation and only provide enough air to see the chest expand.
- Keep chest compressions to 100 compressions per minute. Do not exceed 125 compressions per minute. You should compress the chest 2 inches (5 cm) downwards and allow it to fully expand upwards with as few interruptions as possible.
- You should give CPR right away if you don't know how long a person has been unconscious, then you should use the AED.
Using the AED
Step 5 - Make sure the patient is dry
Before you turn on and use an AED, you need to make sure that the person you are helping is not wet. If they are, you need to dry them off. If there is water in the immediate area, you need to move the person to a dry place.
- Water conducts electricity. If the patient is wet or if there is water nearby, he can be seriously injured.
Step 6 - Turn on the AED.
Once you are sure there is no water, you need to turn on the AED. When it comes on, it will give you instructions of how to handle the situation.
It will likely tell you to attach the cables for the pads into the AED machine. You typically hook them up above the blinking light on the top of the machine.
It will also instruct you to prepare the person once the pads are plugged in.
Step 7 - Prepare the chest area
To use the AED pads, you must remove certain things from the victim. Open or cut through his shirt. If his chest is very hairy, you will have to shave it.
You should also look for signs of implanted devices, such as a pacemaker.
If you see any metal jewellery or accessory, remove it. The metal will conduct electricity.
- Most AEDs come with a razor to shave or scissor to trim the chest of a hairy person.
- You will be able to see a pacemaker or other implanted device through the chest. You can also look for a medical alert bracelet.
- If the victim is a woman, you need to take off any bra that has under wire in it. It can conduct electricity just like jewellery.
Step 8 - Apply the pads
The electrodes for the AED are typically adhesive pads. The AED will advise you to put the electrodes or pads in place.
You need to make sure that they are placed correctly so the victim will get the maximum amount of shock necessary.
One pad should be placed below the collarbone on the upper right side of the victim's bare chest.
The other should be placed below the peck or breast on the left, at the bottom of his heart, slightly along his side.
- Make sure there is no fabric or other object between the pads and his skin. Any obstruction will make the AED malfunction.
- If the pads are not put on properly, the AED may repeat "check electrodes."
- If you found an implanted device or piercing, the pads should be at least 1 inch from them.
Step 9 - Let the AED analyse
Once the pads are properly in place, you need to get everyone clear of the victim.
When everyone has moved back, press the analyse button on the AED. It will begin to analyse the heart rhythm of the victim.
- The AED will then tell you if a shock is needed or if you need to keep doing CPR. If no shock is needed, this means that the victim has regained a pulse or has an un-shockable heart rhythm.
- If there is no shock advised, you need to continue CPR until emergency workers arrive.
Step 10 - Shock the victim if necessary
If the AED advises that you need to shock the patient, you need to make sure, once again, that the victim is clear.
Once you do, push the shock button on the AED. This will send an electric shock through the electrodes to help restart the heart.
◦ The AED will only give one shock at a time. It doesn't last that long, but expect him to move with the force of the shock.
Step 11 - Continue CPR
Once you have given the victim a shock, you need to continue CPR.
You should do it for 2 additional minutes and then let the AED check for a heart rhythm again.
Keep this up until emergency services arrive.
- You should also stop if the victim can breath on his own or if he regains consciousness.
- The AED will likely remind you when 2 minutes has passed and tell you to stop CPR.