The combination of an AED and CPR during a sudden cardiac arrest significantly increases the chances of survival of the victim. In fact, with each passing minute the survival rate decreases from 7 to 10 percent. If no first aid is done within 12 minutes after the person suffered from cardiac arrest, the damaging effects can be irreversible.
These numbers only show how important it is to take action immediately as soon as the need for first aid is recognized. Unfortunately, even with the latest developments on the CPR methods and AED accessibility, the number of deaths attributed to cardiac arrest remains high.
The Significance of CPR and AED
Based on the analysis of collected 2010 and 2014 North Carolina Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival, the training conducted on different family members and bystanders produced significant increase on the survival rate of cardiac arrest victims. Those that have received CPR in public places that was admitted to a hospital had 16.8 chances of survival that was once a 10.8 percent. Those that have received the first aid on their home had 8.1 percent of survival that was once a 5.7. The results may be minimal but they are significant.
Based on the results of the study, there were three important points pointed out. The first is that the characteristics of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests resemble that of cardiology patients. The role of the family members in recognizing the symptoms of a cardiac arrest as well as their knowledge on the steps to perform contributes largely to the survival rate of the victim. Second, a well-planned system on how to address sudden cardiac arrest from recognizing it down to the hospital admission is also crucial. Third, the widespread training on how to use CPR and AED can significantly reduce the number of deaths caused by cardiac arrest.
Improvements for CPR and AED
The American Heart Association (AHA) have been continuously making new methods and approaches to encourage more bystanders to assist during a cardiac arrest incident. This is why the hands-only CPR is promoted alongside with the CAB approach. Communities must be well-aware of the importance of the knowledge of administering CPR and AED. There are also efforts done on implementing the Good Samaritan laws on some states and hopefully, more states will have this on their regulations.
The US Food and Drug Administration, on the other hand, have focused on imposing stricter rules when it comes to approving AED equipment. AEDs should be present on areas where people gather such as casinos, malls and more; however, one of the rising concerns regarding AED is its function. There have been issues of AED malfunction whenever it is used that hinders its efficiency. This is why the FDA that would require manufacturers to submit premarket approval applications (PMA). This will have the AED undergo a more tedious inspection and review to avoid these malfunction issues.
Both CPR and AED work together to help a cardiac arrest patient survive or suffer minimal damages. Even if just one of the two variables are present, as long as it is administered right away, the significance can be staggeringly huge. Simply put, they are important and one must know how to administer them.
