Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

An AED is a medical device that when applied to an individual and hooked up, analyzes a person's heart rhythm and if appropriate (cardiac arrest detected) delivers an electric shock to the chest wall to help nerve impulses to resume their normal function in restoring normal heart rhythm. 

Because of the time sensitive factor in delivering an electric shock, AED's should be accessible within 3 minutes of all locations. Statistically:

• If someone is shocked within one minute of suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, they have a 90% chance of survival
• Each minute after decreases their chances of survival 10%

Consequently, AEDS should be strategically placed throughout a facility and on each floor. 

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Defibrillators or AED's are used to control heart fibrillation by application of an electric shock to the chest wall at the right time to get hearts pumping again