February is Heart Month, and we want to use the opportunity to educate people about what SCA is, what AEDs are, and how they can help.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a serious and often fatal medical emergency that can occur without warning. It occurs when the regular heartbeat is interrupted due to an internal electrical malfunction – the heart stops beating normally, causing the ventricles of the heart to quiver or ‘fibrillate’. 40,000 Canadians die every year due to SCA which is a staggering number that many Canadians are not aware of. The good news is that with prompt and appropriate action, many lives can be saved.
The 80 Second Rule
One of the key things to remember in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest is the 80 second rule. This rule states that the longer a person goes without resuscitation, the less likely they are to survive. In fact, statistics show that the chances of survival decrease by 10% with each passing minute. This is why it is critical to act quickly and provide CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) within 80 seconds.
Anywhere, Anytime, Anyone
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, anytime, to anyone. It doesn’t discriminate based on age, gender, or lifestyle. This is why it’s important to be prepared and to know what to do in the event of an emergency. Knowing CPR and having access to an AED (automated external defibrillator) can greatly increase the chances of survival.
What exactly is an AED?
Although AEDs are essential to public safety and most people have seen them around before, the way AEDs work is often misunderstood.
AED stands for ‘Automated External Defibrillator’ and is used in cases of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). AEDs are important because they allow for the restoration of a regular heart rhythm during SCA, even without practice or training – they are lifesaving.
What does an AED include?
The main components of an AED are electrode pads, the battery, the capacitator, and the processor.
- Electrode pads: These are the two sticky pads that are placed on the person’s chest, surrounding their heart. The pads detect the person’s heart arrhythmia and if a shock is determined as necessary, the shock travels from the capacitator to the pads which release the shock to the patient’s heart.
- Battery: The battery charges the capacitator to make sure it has enough energy to deliver a proper, life-saving shock.
- Capacitator: The capacitator stores and releases the electrical energy that can potentially save a person’s life. The capacitator needs to be able to store enough energy for shock and needs to release the energy all at once.
- Processor: The processor is used to analyze arrhythmia in the patient in order to determine if they require a shock. The electrodes detect heart rhythm data, which the processor then analyzes.
Here are links to some of our most popular AEDs:
Heart Month 2023
Sudden cardiac arrest is a serious and often fatal medical emergency that can occur without warning. The 80 second rule highlights the importance of quick action in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. By knowing CPR and having access to an AED, you can increase the chances of survival for someone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest. Remember, sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime, so it’s important to be prepared.
Reach out Today
We can help from the initial step of purchasing, to anything you may need along the way. We have extensive knowledge about AED products and will ensure you have the medical direction you need for your loved ones, community, or coworkers. Let us know what you’re looking for and we can help with the rest.
This Heart Month if you utilize the code #everysecondcounts you will receive a discount of $250 on an AED when purchasing, so you and your loved ones can stay safe.
Call us today at 604-685-4747 ext. 213 or email us at aedsales@iridiamedical.com to talk with someone from our SCA team today!