AED? – Automated External Defibrillator

The American Red Cross, a leading trainer in Automated External Defibrillation (AED) nationally, is a strong advocate for public access defibrillation. As many as 50,000 deaths could be prevented each year through widespread deployment of AEDs in public places such as large office buildings, airports, shopping malls, golf courses and sports stadiums.

A stopped heart can only be restarted by defibrillation. Unlike a heart attack, in which blood flow to the heart muscle is temporarily blocked, the primary cause of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening condition in which the heart ceases to pump blood effectively. Defibrillation is the only definitive treatment for SCA.

Early defibrillation is an important step in the cardiac “Chain of Survival” a series of critical steps for resuscitation. In keeping with our mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies our classes will teach you needed skills to save a sudden cardiac arrest victim. Call (360) 257-2096 or email us at waicarc@whidbey.net for more information and class registration.