Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Topic Guide

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a procedure a person can use to assist a person who is in cardiac arrest. Providing CPR to a person who is in cardiac arrest can save their life.

Some people, even those with training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), freeze up in an actual medical emergency. Forget the myths that may occur to you; such as whether you may hurt the person or questions about the seriousness of the emergency. Use your training; they will have a better chance at surviving than if you had done nothing.

The latest guidelines for emergency cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes the directive not use mouth-to-mouth in conjunction with chest compressions.

A heart attack is an interruption in blood flow to the heart muscle. Arterial plaque rupture is often the cause of a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. Emergency heart catheterization and thrombolytic therapy may be used to treat a heart attack.

The heart is a muscle like any other in the body. Arteries supply it with oxygen-rich blood so that it can contract and push blood to the rest of the body. When there isn't enough oxygen flow to a muscle, its function begins to suffer. Block the oxygen supply completely, and the muscle starts to die.

CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure used if a person’s heart stops beating or breathing ceases. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable device used to treat people suffering from sudden cardiac arrest (heart attack), which is potentially fatal. Before administering CPR or using an AED, you should always call 911.

The seven steps of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) involve checking the scene and the person, calling 911 for assistance, opening the airway, checking for breathing, chest compressions, delivering rescue breaths, and repeating CPR steps.

A heart attack (also called myocardial infarction or MI), happens when blood flow from the coronary arteries to the heart is reduced or blocked completely. When this occurs, the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, causing damage to the heart. A cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating, resulting in blood no longer circulating throughout the body. Cardiac arrest is far worse because it is often fatal, while most people survive a heart attack.