By Lanessa Hill USAG Public Affairs Lanessa.hill@amedd.army.mil
You may have seen them. Boxes secured to the wall with a sign above them that says AED. You may have wondered what in the world they are or even out of curiosity looked inside to make sure it wasn’t an emergency phone.
Well it’s not a phone but it is definitely used in emergencies. Those boxes contain Automated External Defibrillators. AED’s can check a person’s heart beat and can easily recognize a rhythm that requires a shock.
AED’s advise the rescuer when a shock is needed by using voice prompts, lights and text messages to walk the rescuer through the steps necessary to potentially save a life.
Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions and the heart itself stops beating.
It’s unpredictable and can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. It is fatal unless treated quickly.
The only effective treatment is early defibrillation.
Defibrillation is an electrical shock that re-starts the heart. A machine called a defibrillator administers the shock.
Traditionally, defibrillators have only been in ambulances and hospitals.
But today the technology exists which allows the public have defibrillators available wherever people gather.
Personnel, with minimal training can operate these defibrillators.
The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems has established requirements for the use of an AED at all facilities.
Because the AED is considered an advanced medical device to be used only in an emergency, individuals must be trained to use the device.
All locations who wish to install and use AED’s must adhere to specific requirements that have been set up by MIEMSS.
This includes:
* registration with MIEMSS, training of expected AED operators by an approved AED training program
* the ability to access 9-1-1 immediately.
A certificate issued by MIEMSS to a registered entity is effective for three years if compliance with the program requirements is maintained.
Recently, one life was saved here on Fort Detrick as a result of defribillation.
Since AED’s will continue to be installed in more buildings on post, leaders are in the process of establishing a training schedule so all who are interested can operate a AED.
Once that schedule has been determined a announcement will go out post wide.
E-Mail This Article
Print This Story