Back in the days, defibrillators fail to see past the walls of a hospital. Aside from this, to be able to use one you have to be knowledgeable on reading the heart’s rhythm to determine whether or not a shock is needed in the first place. Thankfully, the advancements in technology made defibrillator an equipment that can be used by a common citizen, with or without prior knowledge on using it. This aspect of AED is a real game-turner that has significantly lessened the number of cardiac arrest-related deaths.
There are times and situations, however, when AED should not be used. It is necessary to know just what situations call for the use of this equipment. There are times when AED can pose a hazard to people around the patient. This equipment gives shock to help a cardiac arrest victim’s heartbeat. If the patient is lying on a metal surface, delivering the necessary shock can be dangerous for both the patient and the people around him. Prior knowledge about conductors of electric current come into play when defining the tricky conditions on using AED. For precaution, be aware of the surroundings when trying to give this first aid.
What if the patient is lying on a puddle or is partially soaked? You have to weigh a lot of factors on this one. If the patient is a trauma-victim, it is for the best that you do not move him. Underlying injuries that cannot be evaluated just by looking may or may not be present and moving him is the least you would want to do. In this situation, dry his chest and remove any wet clothing before attaching the pads. If you are positive that the patient is not in anyway, suffering from trauma, move him to a dry place before using the AED. Be wary of combustible materials such as gasoline or solvents as well.
The analysis of AED on the heart rhythm of a patient can also be affected by varying factors. Remember how people who specialize in reading the heart rhythm of a patient should analyze the patient before administering a shock? An AED can do that even without an operator, however, it can also go wrong. If you are on a moving vehicle, for example, an AED’s analysis can go wrong by administering a shock when it is not needed. This can highly affect the patient’s condition. Aside from this, contact with body hair can also lessen the efficiency of AED. If the patient has a hairy chest, you must shave it so the pads can do its job appropriately.
The AED has gone a long way since it was first invented as a manual equipment that are doomed to never reach the outside of the hospital walls. The easy-to-use and mobility functions of AED has literally increased survival rates. Science has already and been doing its part and it is time that people step up of their plate. The equipment is very easy to use and hand-in-hand with CPR, anyone can save one life at a time.
