Health and Wellness

Saving Lives with CPR and Defibrillation

Sudden cardiac arrest kills 600 Americans every day, at least half of whom could be saved by timely CPR and defibrillation, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

Defibrillation involves the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which are portable, battery-powered devices that can analyze a sudden cardiac arrest victim, determine if a shock is necessary, set the proper charge and instruct the responder the shock the victim. A second or third shock may be required to restore the heart's normal rhythm until emergency medical personnel arrive on the scene to offer more comprehensive care.

AHA recommends that early defibrillation occur within 3 to 5 minutes of the onset of SCA. A victim who is not defibrillated within 8 to 10 minutes has virtually no chance of survival.

AEDs are easy to use in that they "talk" the responder through the rescue steps and they can deliver a shock only when the machine determines it is needed. However, AHA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the devices, strongly recommend training of designated lay responders. Individual responders have strong legal protection under state Good Samaritan laws.