However, in 1889 John MacWilliam in Aberdeen, Scotland proposed a then astonishing hypothesis, namely that the cause of sudden cardiac death was indeed ventricular fibrillation.

Still today, approximately 1000 patients daily have Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) caused by VF in the United States. Risk factors include family history of heart disease, heart attack or cardiac death; unexplained fainting, obesity, diabetes and smoking.

IEarly access to the VF victim is therefore vital, and the statistics for survival are clear: When CPR and defibrillation are provided within the first minute, there is a 90 percent chance of survival; within five minutes, 30-50 percent. Action by lay/minimally trained bystanders will save lives.

Resuscitation

We’ve all seen the TV shows set in hospitals where the patient’s heart monitor is beeping along and all of a sudden the nurse yells out, “Emergency, the patient is in asystole!” The doctor then rushes in, rips back the patient’s gown and grabs the defibrillation paddles shouting, “Clear!” and delivers a shock of around 1500 Volts, hoping that he has saved the patients life by restoring their circulation.

The reality is that if a bystander, or, in fact, a clinician is in a real life cardiac arrest, reaction time and efficacy of CPR and defibrillation can mean the difference between life and death.

Some Common Myths Associated with AED’s and CPR

Myth: AED’s are complex and difficult to use and should only be used by a trained professional. Fact: Lay/minimally trained rescuers will find today’s AED’s much easier to use than those of earlier times, or as seen on TV shows. In addition, the devices are highly accurate in determining if a shock is warranted.

Myth: There’s too much legal risk in using or owning an AED. Fact: There have been no known lawsuits against lay rescuers who attempt to provide CPR and/or AED use. The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (CASA) was part of legislation signed into law in November 2000 and, among its provisions, provides nationwide Good Samaritan protection that exempts from liability anyone who renders emergency treatment with a defibrillator to save someone’s life.

Myth: Lay bystanders are required to perform mouth to mouth breathing. Fact: In April 2008, the American Heart Association revised its recommendations and encouraged lay bystander rescuers to use chest compression-only CPR as an alternative to CPR with exchange of breaths.

Research had shown that people were reluctant to provide CPR because of their personal discomfort in providing mouthto- mouth breathing to a stranger.

Today, a wide variety of AED’s are available for use in facilities; the buyer will find devices that provide a shock if necessary, but the devices differ in other features offered. Devices offering ease of use, durability, portability and low cost of ownership tend to be ideal devices for use in a facility, office, manufacturing or industrial setting.