As its name implies, a defibrillator is designed to remove the "shiver". So what does "fibrillation" mean? It is important to realize that the most common state of the heart during cardiac arrest is not a complete cessation of heart movement, but rather an arrhythmia called "ventricular fibrillation". When this arrhythmia occurs, the heart is unable to pump blood and the blood pressure drops to zero, which has the effect of completely stopping the heart muscle from contracting. Therefore, immediate defibrillation is the most important means of saving the lives of these patients.
Unlike the specialized defibrillators commonly used in hospitals, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) require only a short period of instruction to use. The device itself automatically reads the electrocardiogram and decides whether a shock is needed. Fully-automated models even require the rescuer to apply a shock patch to the patient before it can determine and deliver a shock on its own. Semi-automatic models remind the rescuer to press the shock button. In most cases, the machine will not deliver a shock even if the rescuer presses the button by mistake. Some models can be used on children (under 25 kg or under 8 years of age), but the electrode patches must generally be child-specific. The American College of Cardiology recommends that adult patches be used instead, even if child-specific patches aren't available; there's no evidence that patch electrodes for adults cause more serious damage.
Almost all automated external defibrillators use machine-synthesized speech to give instructions to the rescuer. But because some responders may be hearing impaired or hard-of-hearing, many models now come with a screen that provides messages and icons to alert the responder. Most models are designed for non-medical personnel. The automated external defibrillator (AED) is one of the most important inventions since CPR that made cardiac resuscitation available to the general public.
How to use an AED:
1. To turn on the AED, open the lid and follow the visual and audible prompts (some models require that you press the power button first).
2. Apply the electrodes to the patient, and attach the electrodes closely to the patient's chest at the appropriate location. Generally speaking, the two electrode plates are attached to the upper right chest and the left side of the left nipple of the left chest, the specific position can refer to the drawing on the AED case and the picture on the electrode plate instructions. There are also AEDs with integrated electrode plates, such as the ZOLL AED Plus, which was installed at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
4. Insert the electrode plate plug into the AED's main jack.
5, start to analyze the heart rhythm, defibrillation when necessary, press the "analysis" button (some models in the insertion of the electrode plate will sound a voice prompt, and automatically start to analyze the heart rate, in the process, please do not touch the patient, even if it is a slight touch may affect the analysis of the AED), the AED will start to analyze the heart rate. The AED will start to analyze the heart rate. After the analysis, the AED will issue a recommendation on whether to defibrillate or not. When there is a defibrillation indication, do not contact the patient, and tell anyone else in the vicinity to stay away from the patient, and the operator will press the "discharge" button to defibrillate.
6. If effective perfusion rhythm is not restored after defibrillation, perform 5 cycles of CPR. After defibrillation, the AED will analyze the rhythm again, and if effective perfusion rhythm is not restored, the operator should perform 5 cycles of CPR, and then analyze the rhythm, defibrillation, and CPR again and again until the arrival of the emergency personnel.