How to use an AED machine the right way!

An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a medical device that gives the heart an electric shock when someone’s heart has stopped and they go into cardiac arrest.

The great thing about an AED machine is that you can use it on children over one year old and adults of any age.

Ambulances have them on board, but using an AED in the minutes before an ambulance arrives can double someone’s chances of survival. So it is up to you to think quickly and find the nearest AED.

If you would like access to an AED at all times, why not buy one for your home or office? Supply Doctor’s online medical supply store has a wide range of AED machines to choose from, plus even a training manikin to practice on! Take a look today and place your order.

Many public places keep an AED as part of their first aid equipment. Places such as shopping centres, train stations, airports, offices and schools. If you don’t have access to an AED and you haven’t purchased one for yourself yet, then it is time to call the emergency personnel and do ordinary CPR until the ambulance arrives.

So, how do you use an AED device? An AED device is pretty simple to use, and you can use it with no training at all. The machine will analyse someones heart rhythm and then use visual or voice prompts to guide you through each step.

     ´        First, make sure someone has called for an ambulance, and if an AED isn’t immediately available, give CPR until someone can bring you an AED.

     ´        As soon as you’ve got an AED, switch it on! It will immediately start to give you a series of visual and verbal prompts informing you of what you need to do. Follow these prompts until the ambulance arrives or someone with more experience can take over.

     ´        Take the pads out of the sealed pack. Remove or cut through the clothing and wipe away any sweat from the chest.

     ´        Remove the backing paper and attach the pads to their chest.

     ´        Place the first pad on their upper right side, just below their collarbone as shown on the pad.

     ´        Then place the second pad on their left side just below the armpit. Make sure you position the pad lengthways, with the long side in line with the length of their body.

     ´        Once you have done this, the AED will start checking the heart rhythm. Make sure that no one is touching the person. Continue to follow the voice / visual prompts that the machine gives you until help arrives.