Elderly First Aid Handbook Book A

Page 18

Basic Life Support

16

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Commonly called AED, the device has a daunting full name Automated External Defibrillator. However, its principles and use are actually not difficult to grasp. Sudden cardiac arrest, in which the heart stops beating suddenly, can cause death within minutes if untreated. The 2 major causes of sudden cardiac arrest, both triggering irregular heartbeats, are ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. The commoner cause is ventricular fibrillation, in which the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart quiver quickly and irregularly. The other cause is ventricular tachycardia, in which the ventricles have regular, fast beats that lasts for a short period of time. The AED can be used in this condition to assess the heart rhythm and restore it to normal by administering electric shocks to the heart. CPR also helps the chance of survival. AED sets usually come with spoken or visual instructions for the untrained user and are easy to use. An important point, though, would be to make sure that no one is touching the elderly when the shock is being administered.

AEDs can be found in many public places, such as shopping malls, airports, hotels and schools. You can find them directly under these signs

AED It’s important for the local EMS system and Community members to know where AEDs are located in the community. In the event of a sudden cardiac arrest emergency, you can find AED quickly.


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Ear Nose Throat

2min
pages 79-81

Extreme Temperature - Too Cold

1min
pages 76-78

Heat Stroke

1min
pages 74-75

Extreme Temperature - Too Hot

1min
page 73

High Fever

1min
pages 70-72

Acute Urine Retention

2min
pages 65-66

Urinary Tract Infection

2min
pages 67-69

Dehydration

2min
pages 61-64

Constipation

1min
pages 59-60

Vomiting

2min
pages 56-58

Abdominal Pain

2min
pages 53-55

Acute Asthmatic Attack

2min
pages 45-48

Choking

2min
pages 49-52

Shock

1min
pages 42-44

Syncope

1min
pages 40-41

Angina

2min
pages 37-39

Cardiovascular System

2min
pages 35-36

Depression and Suicide

3min
pages 30-34

Head Injury

2min
pages 27-29

Seizure

1min
pages 25-26

Stroke

2min
pages 23-24

Process of Ageing

2min
pages 6-10

Automated External Defibrillator (AED

1min
pages 18-19

Recovery Position

0
pages 20-22

Basic Life Support

1min
page 11
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