The Importance of training to accompany your AED

The use of a defibrillator machine in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, can increase an individual’s chance of survival from 6% to 74% if used within the first three-to-five minutes.

Emergency services won’t make it to the victim within this time, therefore trained witnesses are vital to increase a victim’s chance of survival.

Why is AED training important?

Using an AED may seem complicated and even scary to most people.

However, they are nothing to be feared of, as defibrillator machines come with audio and visual prompts that help to deliver proper treatment. This feature enables the general public to operate an AED in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.

It could be argued, that if training is provided, the treatment process would be much faster. This is vital to keep in mind, as with every minute without CPR and defibrillation, the victim’s chance of survival reduces by 10%.

Not only this, but with proper training, responders can override the instructions and deliver treatment confidently and more efficiently, thereby increasing the chances of the victim’s survival.

In the event of a cardiac arrest, firstly, the emergency services need to be contacted to reach the victim as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, CPR can be performed, whilst the defibrillator is located.

Simple step-by-step guide to using a defibrillator

To use a defibrillator, we have provided a simple step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Once the machine has been located, switch the defibrillator on.

Step 2: Following the instructions, detach the pads and attach them to each side of the victim’s chest.

Step 3: Once the pads are attached, the defibrillator will assess the victim’s heart rhythm and decide whether a shock is needed.

Step 4: The instructions will tell you when to enable the shock. An automatic defibrillator will shock the victim without prompt.

Step 5: When the shock has been delivered, the defibrillator will tell you. It will also let you know whether you need to continue CPR or whether it needs to assess the heartbeat again.

Contact Defib Machines for AED training

If you’re looking to install defibrillators, for as little as £1 a day Defib Machines will install as many AED’s as you need to your multi-site nationwide.

Defib Machines specialists provide onsite training to staff, alongside the installation and maintenance of your AED.

To find out more information, call us on 0800 0852 733 or send us an email on solutions@defibmachines.co.uk.