What is an automated external defibrillator?
Q: What is an automated external defibrillator?
A: An automated external defibrillator is a special type of defibrillator which can be used by people without medical education. It is used to treat certain kinds of heart problems using controlled electric shocks.
Q: How quickly does the chance of survival drop if a heart problem is left untreated?
A: If a heart problem is left untreated, the chance of survival drops by about ten percent for each minute that passes.
Q: Where are automated external defibrillators typically located?
A: Automated external defibrillators are typically located in places where they are easily accessible, such as airports and railway stations.
Q: How do public access defibrillators alert emergency services?
A: In many cases, using a public access defibrillator will alert emergency services. Very often, the defibrillator will guide the person helping through its use.
Q: How can you find out where publicly accessible defibrillators are located in your region?
A: In some countries such as the United Kingdom, regional public ambulance services provide lists for people to show where all the publicly accessible defibrillators are located in their region (East of England Ambulance Services Trust[permanent dead link] for example).
Q: What security measures have been put in place for open public locations with these devices?
A: In some open public locations,defibribrillators are secured in special cases which need a code to open them (see the example on the right). When you call for an ambulance, you tell the operator the location code on the case and they give you the code to unlock it to get the device out.
Q:What studies have been conducted regarding survival rates when using public access debrifrillators?
A:Studies have been conducted to see what survival rates were like when using public access debrifrillators and they showed that when these devices were used, there was a median chance of survival at forty percent when operated by non-dispatched lay first responders - this had highest likelihood leading to survival.
