Adult AED

ProCPR

8 Apr 201603:36

Summary

TLDRThis script outlines a step-by-step guide for responding to an adult victim in cardiac arrest using an AED. It emphasizes ensuring scene safety, activating EMS, and performing CPR before using the AED. The process includes removing clothing, attaching pads, analyzing rhythm, delivering shocks if advised, and continuing CPR cycles. The script instructs to repeat these steps until EMS arrives or the patient shows signs of recovery.

Takeaways

⚠️ Scene safety is a top priority: ensure the environment is safe from combustible gases or liquids and that the patient isn't lying in fluids.
🧤 The rescuer should wear gloves and have a CPR shield for protection before administering aid.
📞 If the patient is unresponsive, activate EMS by calling 911 or instruct a bystander to do so, and bring an AED if possible.
📱 Use speakerphone when calling 911 to keep your hands free during the rescue process.
💡 If the patient is unresponsive and not breathing, start CPR immediately unless an AED is available.
🔌 Turn on the AED and follow its voice prompts, including removing clothing and ensuring the patient’s chest is dry for proper pad placement.
🖐️ Ensure no one is touching the patient during rhythm analysis or when the AED is delivering a shock.
⚡ After a shock is delivered, begin five cycles of CPR, following proper compression and breath techniques.
🧑‍⚕️ Continue CPR, regardless of whether a shock is advised or not, until EMS or more qualified help arrives or the patient shows signs of recovery.
🔄 AED prompts and cycles of CPR should be followed continuously until the situation changes (help arrives or patient recovery).

Q & A

What is the first consideration before using an AED on an adult victim?
-The first consideration is scene safety, ensuring there are no combustible gases or liquids, and the patient is not lying in a pool of fluids that could connect the rescuer to the patient during defibrillation.
Why is it important to check for scene safety before using an AED?
-Checking for scene safety is important to prevent potential hazards such as sparks from the AED igniting flammable substances, which could endanger the rescuer and the patient.
What should you do if the adult victim does not respond to your initial call and physical prompts?
-If the victim does not respond, you should activate EMS by calling 911 and proceed to assess if they are moving and breathing normally.
How can you activate EMS in the scenario described?
-You can activate EMS by dialing 911 on your cell phone and keeping it on speakerphone, or by delegating a bystander to make the call and return with an AED if available.
What is the next step after confirming the unresponsiveness of the patient and before using the AED?
-The next step is to turn on the AED, remove clothing from the person's chest, and dry off the skin where the pads need to be placed.
Where should you place the AED pads on the adult's chest?
-The pads should be placed one above the right breast and one on the left mid-axillary line, below the left breast.
What does the AED's 'Analyzing rhythm' message mean and what should you do when you hear it?
-The 'Analyzing rhythm' message means the AED is checking the patient's heart rhythm to determine if a shock is needed. Everyone should stand clear and not touch the patient during this process.
What action is required after the AED advises a shock and charges?
-Once the AED advises a shock and charges, ensure everyone is clear, then push the shock button to deliver the shock.
How many cycles of CPR are performed after the initial shock is delivered?
-After the initial shock is delivered, begin five cycles of CPR, which typically consist of 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths.
What should you do if the AED advises no shock after analyzing the rhythm?
-If the AED advises no shock, you should immediately begin five cycles of CPR as prompted by the AED.
When should you stop the CPR and AED protocol as described in the script?
-You should stop the CPR and AED protocol when EMS arrives, when further help arrives that is equally trained or higher, or when the patient begins to move, respond, and breathe normally.

Outlines

00:00

🚑 Responding to Adult Cardiac Arrest with AED

The scenario begins with ensuring scene safety for an adult victim in cardiac arrest. The responder must check for hazards such as combustible gases or liquids before using an AED. After confirming safety, the responder dons gloves and a CPR shield. The process involves calling 911, either directly or through a bystander, and requesting an AED if not already present. The responder then activates the AED, removes clothing from the victim's chest, dries the skin, and attaches the pads as instructed—one above the right breast and one on the left mid-axillary area. The AED is turned on, and it analyzes the victim's rhythm. If a shock is advised, the responder ensures no one is touching the victim and delivers the shock. Post-shock, five cycles of CPR are initiated, which include chest compressions and rescue breaths using a CPR shield with a one-way valve. The AED periodically analyzes the victim's rhythm, advising further shocks or continued CPR. The responder follows the AED's prompts until emergency medical services arrive, additional help arrives, or the victim shows signs of normal movement and breathing.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest refers to the sudden loss of effective contraction of the heart, leading to the cessation of blood circulation. In the script, it is the critical medical emergency that the adult victim is experiencing, which necessitates immediate life-saving interventions such as CPR and the use of an AED.

💡AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

An AED is a portable device that can diagnose life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which 'shocks' the heart to normal rhythm. The script outlines the importance of using an AED in the event of cardiac arrest, emphasizing its role in delivering a potentially life-saving shock.

💡Scene Safety

Scene safety involves assessing the environment for potential hazards before providing aid. The script stresses the importance of ensuring the scene is free from combustible materials or liquids that could pose a risk when using an AED, which can emit sparks during defibrillation.

💡CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

CPR is an emergency procedure performed when an individual's breathing and heartbeat have stopped. The script describes the process of performing CPR, including chest compressions and rescue breaths, which are critical in maintaining blood flow to the brain and other vital organs until further medical help arrives.

💡Gloves

The use of gloves is mentioned in the script as a part of personal protective equipment to prevent the spread of infections while performing medical procedures like CPR. They ensure the safety of both the rescuer and the victim.

💡CPR Shield

A CPR shield, also known as a pocket mask, is a device that allows rescuers to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation without direct contact, reducing the risk of disease transmission. The script mentions its use as part of the rescuer's safety precautions.

💡911

In the script, calling 911 represents the initial step in activating the emergency medical services (EMS) system. It is the primary means of alerting professional help in a medical emergency, and the script advises either using a cell phone or delegating a bystander to make the call.

💡Compressions

Compressions are the physical pressing actions performed during CPR to manually circulate blood. The script details the process of performing compressions, emphasizing the importance of a specific rhythm and count to maintain effective circulation.

💡Rhythm Analysis

Rhythm analysis is the process by which an AED evaluates the heart's electrical activity to determine if a shock is needed. The script describes the AED's instruction to 'analyze rhythm' and the subsequent advice to 'stand clear' while it performs this analysis.

💡Shock

In the context of the script, a shock refers to the defibrillation process where the AED delivers an electric current to the heart in an attempt to restore a normal rhythm. The script outlines the steps taken before and after delivering a shock, including ensuring no one is in contact with the patient.

💡Rescue Breaths

Rescue breaths are an integral part of CPR, where the rescuer provides artificial ventilation to the victim. The script specifies the technique of pinching the nose, tilting the head back, and delivering two rescue breaths as part of the CPR cycle.

Highlights

Scene safety is crucial before using an AED, ensuring no combustible gases or liquids are present.

Gloves and CPR shield are essential for the rescuer's safety.

The importance of checking the scene for safety before using an AED is emphasized.

Instructions on how to activate EMS by calling 911 are provided.

The process of assessing the patient's responsiveness and initiating emergency actions is outlined.

The necessity to remove clothing and dry the skin before attaching AED pads is explained.

Proper pad placement on the adult patient's chest is demonstrated.

The AED's rhythm analysis feature is introduced, with instructions to stand clear.

The procedure for delivering a shock with the AED is detailed.

Initiation of CPR following an AED shock is emphasized.

The correct technique for performing chest compressions is described.

Instructions on using a rescue shield with a one-way valve for rescue breaths are given.

The continuation of CPR cycles until further help arrives or the patient responds is stressed.

The AED's guidance for no shock advice and the subsequent CPR is highlighted.

The importance of not touching the patient during AED rhythm analysis is reiterated.

The protocol for continuing CPR cycles regardless of shock advice until help arrives is explained.