Save an Athlete.org | Take Action

What is an automated external defibrillator (AED)?
An automated external defibrillator or AED is a device used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). A built-in computer analyzes the heart rhythm and advises the user whether a shock is needed. AEDs will only recommend a shock for those with ventricular fibrillation and fast ventricular tachycardia. The shock is delivered through the patient's chest wall using adhesive electrode pads.

Why are AEDs important?
AEDs are important because they help improve the chain of survival. Defibrillation is recognized as the definitive treatment for a common cause of SCA: ventricular fibrillation (VF), the abnormal heart rhythm that causes the heart to suddenly stop pumping blood. For every minute that goes by without defibrillation, a cardiac arrest victim's chances of survival decrease by about 10 percent. After the first few minutes without defibrillation, few attempts at resuscitation are successful.

Who can use AEDs?
Advances in technology have propelled AEDs from hospital emergency rooms and ambulances to fire and police vehicles. Within the last decade, technological advances have made small, portable, easy-to-use, relatively inexpensive devices available making it practical to equip and train a new group of emergency "first responders", such as firefighters, police, and emergency medical services (EMS), who are often first to arrive at the scene of a cardiac emergency. In addition, these new AEDs ignited broad public enthusiasm for their deployment among non-traditional trained responders-sometimes called "lay-responders." Today, automated external defibrillators can be found in airports, shopping malls, sports arenas, on airplanes, and across entire communities.

Should schools have AEDs on site?
The American Heart Association estimates that the broad deployment of defibrillators could prevent as many as 40,000 more deaths each year in the United States. Presently, all 50 states have adopted "Good Samaritan" legislation, protecting citizens who use a defibrillator to save a life. This has helped pave the way for "public access defibrillation" (PAD) programs, which join entire communities-local government, businesses, hospitals, civic leaders and citizen volunteers-in a common goal: to improve survival from sudden cardiac arrest. Presently, the national effort to place defibrillators where they can reach victims within the first few minutes of an arrest has resulted in defibrillator programs in schools, shopping malls, government buildings, health clubs, airports, public utilities and across entire communities.

Do I need to get an AED for my home if I have a congenital heart condition such as HCM or Long QT?
If you are diagnosed with a congenital heart condition, you should work with your cardiologist to determine what treatment options are right for you. If your physician recommends an AED for the home, one option is the Philips HeartStart Home defibrillator. It is the first and only home defibrillator available without a prescription.

RELATED ORGANIZATIONS

ONLINE RESOURCES