Sudden cardiac arrest means that the heart unexpectedly and abruptly quits beating. This is usually caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation.

No. A heart attack is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked, resulting in the death of the heart muscle. Heart attack victims usually (but not always) experience chest pain and usually remain conscious. Heart attacks are serious and sometimes will lead to sudden cardiac arrest. However, sudden cardiac arrest may occur independently from a heart attack and without warning signs. Sudden cardiac arrest results in death if not treated immediately.

While the average age of sudden cardiac arrest victims is about 65, sudden cardiac arrest is unpredictable and can strike anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) is an abnormal heart rhythm often seen in sudden cardiac arrest. This rhythm is caused by an abnormal and very fast electrical activity in the heart. VF is chaotic and unorganized; the heart just quivers and cannot effectively pump blood. VF will be short lived and deteriorate to asystole (a flat line) if not treated promptly.

The only effective treatment for VF is an electrical shock called defibrillation. Defibrillation is an electrical current applied to the chest. The electrical current passes through the heart with the goal of stopping the VF and giving an opportunity for the heart's normal electrical system to take control. This current helps the heart reorganize the electrical activity so it can pump blood again. An automated external defibrillator (AED) can defibrillate the heart.

AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator

An AED is a device used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart. Built-in computer access the patient's heart rhythm, judge whether defibrillation is needed and then administer the shock. Audible and/or visual prompts guide the user through the process.

A microprocessor inside the defibrillator interprets (analyzes) the victim's heart rhythm through adhesive electrodes. The computer analyzes the heart rhythm and advises the operator whether a shock is needed. AED's advise a shock only for ventricular fibrillation and fast ventricular tachycardia. The electric current is delivered through the victim's chest wall through adhesive electrode pads.

AED's strengthen the chain of survival. They can restore a normal heart rhythm in sudden cardiac arrest victims. Also, new portable models allow more people to respond to a medical emergency where defibrillation is required. After sudden cardiac arrest, chances of survival decreases by 7-10 percent each minute that passes without defibrillation. AED's save lives!

The AED is designed not to advise a shock for a patient with a non-shockable rhythm. It would be very difficult to harm a patient even in such circumstances.

The steps for shocking a patient in cardiac arrest are simple and straightforward. The AED Plus provides the visual and audio prompts required for the entire resuscitation process. The most difficult part is recognizing the need for defibrillation.

Look for the visual text prompts on the AED screen.

Do CPR only until the AED arrives. Apply the electrodes to the patient's bare chest and follow the voice prompts and messages of the AED. It will tell you when to resume CPR. CPR is a holding action until the heart is defibrillated.

CPR provides some circulation of oxygen rich blood to the victim's heart and brain. This circulation delays both brain death and the death of heart muscle. CPR buys some time until the AED can arrive and also makes the heart more likely to respond to defibrillation.

No. The pads remain on throughout the resuscitation and until the patient is transferred to advanced care providers such as the paramedics. If the pads are in their correct locations on the passenger's chest, they will not interfere with proper hand placement or compressions. When doing compressions, make sure the cable is not under your hands.

The chest should be exposed to allow placement of the disposable defibrillation electrodes. A women's bra should be removed. Clothes may need to be cut off to facilitate early defibrillation.

Yes, even after a patient has been successfully defibrillated, he/she is at risk of developing ventricular fibrillation again. The AED will continually monitor the victim for the return of VF. If VF is suspected, the device will automatically begin to analyze patient after 1 minute of CPR is complete. The AED should be left on until emergency personnel assume responsibility for the patient. The defibrillation pads (electrodes) are disposable.

Give rescue breaths at a rate of 1 every 5 seconds or 12 per minute.

No, leave the patient on the floor; monitor pulse, breathing and blood pressure closely. Place the patient in the "rescue" or side position, keep them warm, administer oxygen, and continue to monitor closely.

Not all physicians and nurses know how to defibrillate, or they may not be familiar with the type of defibrillator you are using. Once you have been trained, continue to use it. Medical personnel may be needed to administer drugs, and give other advanced medical care.

Flight attendants, Firefighters, Cruise ship personnel, Police Officers, Health club employees, Security guards, EMT's, Lifeguards, Golf Pros, Students, Physicians, Nursing Homes, Residential Homes, Restaurant personnel and Corporate emergency response teams.

Although VF is the most common rhythm in cardiac arrest it is not the only one. The AED will only shock VF. There are other heart rhythms associated with cardiac arrest that are not treated with defibrillation "shocks". A "No Shock Advised" message doesn't mean the victim's rhythm is back to normal. This is why a pulse check must always be done after a "No Shock Advised" prompt.

Unfortunately, because of other underlying medical or heart problems, not all victims of cardiac arrest who are in ventricular fibrillation (VF) will survive even if defibrillation is done promptly and correctly

A cardiac arrest is a high stress situation. Even experienced health care providers do not do everything perfectly. In a cardiac arrest, performing CPR, even imperfectly, and using a defibrillator can only help the patient.

Successful defibrillation requires electricity to flow from one electrode to the other through the chest. If the electrodes are not firmly adhered and there is sweat or another conductive material between the electrodes, the electricity will be more likely to flow across the chest rather than through it. This will result in ineffective defibrillation and an increased chance of sparks and fire. (The main reason for removing therapeutic oxygen from the immediate vicinity of the victim.)

Electrodes must come in direct contact with the skin. If the chest hair is so excessive as to prevent good adhesion of the electrode, the hair must be removed quickly.

Follow your protocols regarding the lower age or size limits for children. The American Heart Association recommends no one under 8 years old receive defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator.

Remember this rule: only put the unit on someone you would do CPR on--unresponsive not breathing and no pulse.

Most will "jump" slightly although not to the extent seen on many television shows.

Yes, never withhold AED use in a person in cardiac arrest (unresponsive, not breathing, no pulse).

Yes, as long as the usual safety rules are observed. Be sure the victim's chest is wiped dry. Keep the defibrillation electrodes away from a damp or conductive surface. Clear the victim and defibrillate as usual.

Yes, as long as the usual safety rules are observed. Keep the defibrillation electrodes away from contact with the conductive surface. Clear the victim and defibrillate as usual. Be sure not to allow anyone to touch the passenger when the shock is delivered.

To date there has never been a case where someone was held liable for using an AED, but as you know, anyone can be sued. Likewise, most states have passed "Good Samaritan" legislation protecting the lay rescuer from lawsuits.

AEDs are extremely safe when used properly. The electric shock is programmed to go from one pad to another through the victim's chest. Basic precautions, such a verbally warning others to stand clear and visually checking the area before and during the shock, will virtually ensure the safety of rescuers.

Never place AED electrode pads directly on top of medication patches, such as nitroglycerin, or EKG patches. Patches should always be removed and the skin wiped dry before placing defibrillator pads on the skin.

The defibrillators often shown on TV are called "manual defibrillators." A manual defibrillator is not "automated" the defibrillator does not interpret the need for defibrillation. Trained medical personnel interpret the heart's rhythms and make the decision whether to shock the patient or not. The shock can be delivered by the use of paddles or defibrillation pads.

When used on persons who are unresponsive, not breathing, and have no detectable pulse, the AED is extremely safe. The AED makes shock delivery decisions based upon the patient's heart rhythm, and will not allow a shock to be delivered if not needed. The machine will not let you shock a non-shockable rhythm. If the patient meets the criteria; unresponsive, not breathing, no pulse they are essentially "dead". "Deader", is just not a word in the dictionary.

Public access to defibrillation (PAD) means making AEDs available in public and/or private places where large numbers of people gather or people who are at high risk for heart attacks live.

Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see an adult suddenly collapse in the out-of-hospital setting. It consists of two steps:

1. Call 911 (or send someone to do that).

2. Begin providing high-quality chest compressions by pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest with minimal interruptions.

See Zoll Hands On CPR FAQ in More Info tab for more Frequently Asked Questions about Hands-Only CPR