“Running is good for the broken heart and healing soul–for about a block and a half. After that I begin to wonder if I should retrofit my iPod with an AED and teach the dog CPR.”
So said a Facebook friend of mine recently. While I think she is just using humor to try to come to grips with her mortality, she has a point. Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) units save lives and are something that should be accessible at all times.
AEDs are portable, designed with the layperson in mind, and invaluable in increasing the odds of survival in cardiac arrest victims. According to The American Red Cross, “Defibrillation administered within four minutes after collapse is most successful. ” Every minute without defibrillation decreases the chance for survival by ten percent. So while chest compressions are a key component of the chain of survival, and while doing something–anything–is better than doing nothing, rapid administration of an AED may be the most important factor of all.
Since rigorous physical activity may be a trigger in the occurrence of cardiac arrest, it isn’t too much of a stretch for my friend to want to bring an AED with her when she is out running. And since almost 90% of all cases of cardiac arrest happen at home, owning an AED for home use just makes sense. With ever-advancing technology, that may soon be possible.
At the moment, AED units cost between about $1,000 and about $3,000, with the majority landing in the $1,200 – $1,800 range. Most come equipped with adult and pediatric pads, and many are also equipped with accessories like masks, gloves, alcohol prep pads, and a razor. Some are compatible with PCs, allowing a download of the rescue data, an important piece of information in some cases.
If you’re interested in getting an AED for your office, or even your home, there are a few hoops to jump through, but we can help you. While we offer a selection of different devices, and can guide you through some of the “How-To’s” to get started, we can also point you to a number of different directions outside of our organization, as well. Of course, our main goal is to get more of these devices “out there”. After all, if the ambulance gets there, and there is no CPR or AED on scene of the cardiac arrest, the patient will die. With CPR/AED, they at least have a chance.
