Chapter 7: ACLS | American CPR Care Association

Online ACLS Course

Home » Chapter 7 : Early defibrillation and using an AED

Chapter 7 : Early Defibrillation And Using An AED

Video Demonstration

Early defibrillation and using an AED

Defibrillation may be the only treatment to restore normal heart activity and save someone’s life if they go into cardiac arrest. The AED has built-in voice prompts to guide the user in a simple and clear manner. Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) and pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) are examples of fatal and irregular rhythms that can be corrected by the use of an AED. These are discussed in the next chapter.

BLS survey is used for all cardiac arrest patients:

Scroll Me
STEPSASSESSMENTTECHNIQUE/ACTION 
1Check for response
  • Tap and ask, “Are you all right?”
  • Look for breathing by checking for movement of chest (5 to 10 seconds)
chapter3-1.png
2Activate the emergency response system and get AED
  • Activate the emergency response system (Call 911) and ask someone to get the AED if help is available
chapter3-2.png
3Circulation
  • Check carotid pulse (maximum of 10 seconds)
  • If no pulse start CPR with 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths
  •  START WITH COMPRESSIONS FIRST!
  • 100 compressions per minute
  • Depth of 2 inches
  • If there is a pulse, start rescue breathing at 1 breath every 5 to 6 seconds
chapter3
4Defibrillation
  • Check for shockable rhythm  with AED
  • Hook up the pads to the patients bare chest
  • Give shock when needed – follow instructions on the AED
  • After shock start CPR again beginning with chest compressions
chapter3-5
STEPSASSESSMENTTECHNIQUE/ACTION 
1Check for response
  • Tap and ask, “Are you all right?”
  • Look for breathing by checking for movement of chest (5 to 10 seconds)
chapter3-1.png
2Activate the emergency response system and get AED
  • Activate the emergency response system (Call 911) and ask someone to get the AED if help is available
chapter3-2.png
3Circulation
  • Check carotid pulse (maximum of 10 seconds)
  • If no pulse start CPR with 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths
  •  START WITH COMPRESSIONS FIRST!
  • 100 compressions per minute
  • Depth of 2 inches
  • If there is a pulse, start rescue breathing at 1 breath every 5 to 6 seconds
chapter3-4
4Defibrillation
  • Check for shockable rhythm  with AED
  • Hook up the pads to the patients bare chest
  • Give shock when needed – follow instructions on the AED
  • After shock start CPR again beginning with chest compressions
chapter3-5
adult-bls-img

Why is Defibrillation Important?

In a situation where the patient is in cardiac arrest and the rhythm is VF or pulseless VT, defibrillation is the only treatment. Defibrillation stops the arrhythmias from continuing and assists in obtaining normal heart rhythm.ALWAYS REMEMBER DEFIBRILLATION DOES NOT RESTART THE HEART! It “shocks” the heart with electrical impulses.

IMPORTANT: IMMEDIATELY RESUME CPR AFTER DEFIBRILLATION!
Most common rhythms seen in sudden cardiac arrest are VF and pulseless VT and for that reason early defibrillation is very important.

Steps used to operate AEDs
AEDs may have different models and manufactures, but most of them can be used by using the following steps:

StepAction
1Turn on the AED
2Put the electrode pads to the patient’s bare chest
  • Pick the correct pad (adult pads vs. pediatric pads) Use pediatric pads for those under 8 years of age
  • Wipe the chest dry if it is wet
  • Attach the 2 electrode pads to patient’s bare chest
3Analyze the rhythm
  • Ensure no one is touching the patient – Clear the patient
  • AED device might automatically analyze the rhythm or ask you to push a button
  • The AED will let you know if shock is advised
4If shock is needed, CLEAR THE PATIENT
  • Ensure no one is touching the patient
  • Push the SHOCK button
5Continue CPR beginning with chest compressions
  • Remember 30 compressions to 2 breaths
  • The AED device will tell you to repeat steps 3 and 4, after 2 minutes
operate-AEDs-img

Learning Outcomes:
You have completed Chapter VII. Now you should be able to:

  1. Apply the BLS Survey Algorithm to VF and Pulseless VT
  2. Know the importance of Early Defibrillation and Using an AED

American CPR Care Association is rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 48,237 ratings.
All content Copyright 2023 © – American CPR Care Association. All rights reserved.