Automated External Defibrillator Background

Acting quickly when someone is in cardiac arrest and fighting for their life is crucially important.  Around 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK every year.  When someone goes into cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces their chances of survival by 10%.

What is an AED?

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm.  If needed, it can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm.  AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).  SCA is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating.  When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs.

How do use it?

AEDs are lightweight, battery-operated, portable devices that are easy to use.  Each unit comes with instructions, and the device will even give you voice prompts to let you know if and when you should send a shock to the heart.

Learning how to use an AED and taking a CPR course are helpful.  However, if trained personnel aren’t available, untrained people also can use an AED to help save someone’s life.

Where is it located?

The AED is located on the exterior wall at the front of ASSC next to the car park and bicycle racks.

Need more information?

More information may be found here.