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THE Automated External Defibrillator (AED) |
The Facts
Sudden cardiac arrest kills 220,000 Americans each year. More than 90 percent occur outside the hospital setting. The underlying cause of sudden cardiac arrest is not well understood. Early defibrillation is the only treatment for sudden cardiac arrest. Defibrillation restores the heart’s natural rhythm by applying electrical shocks.
Published studies indicate that survival rates from ventricular fibrillation can exceed 70 percent if defibrillation is administered within the first few minutes of sudden cardiac arrest. The chances of survival decrease by approximately ten percent with each minute that passes following an attack.
Today’s AEDs are smaller, lighter, cheaper, and far easier to use and maintain. In addition, they are designed to allow the operator to deliver a shock only when a life-threatening arrhythmia has been detected. Thus, with proper training, ordinary Americans with access to AEDs can save lives in emergency situations. So far, the Red Cross has trained 350,000 Americans and more than 80,000 instructors in the use of AEDs since the inception of its program.
How We Can Help You Purchase an AED
The American Red Cross is the leading provider of AED training and services. Companies with AEDs and people trained to use them can act immediately rather than wait—and when a life is on the line, every second counts.
We can assist you in creating an AED program for your facility, including:
If you are interested in purchasing an AED, or learning more about an
AED and the necessary training involved, e-mail or call
Jennifer Geoppinger at
(334) 260-3999.