Education

How to use an AED? How to use an AED: a step by step guide Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are lifesaving devices designed to be used in emergency situations, particularly during cardiac arrests. Knowing how to use an AED can make a difference in a life and death situation. Let’s walk you through the step-by-step process of using an AED. In this specific case we will show you how to use a FRED PA-1. STEP 1: Assess the situation You have to confirme the cardiac arrest by checking for responsiveness. Tap the victim’s shoulder and shout loudly. If the person does not respond and is not breathing normally, assume it’s a cardiac arrest. STEP 2: Call for Emergency Services Dial your local emergency number immediately to request professionnal assistance. STEP 3: Start cardiac massage while someone is looking for an AED 30 chest compressions then 2 rescue breaths. STEP 4: Retrieve the AED Locate the nearest AED. In public spaces, AEDs are often stored in clearly marked cabinets. Open the cabinet and retrieve the AED. STEP 5: Power on the AED Once you have the AED, power it on by opening the lid. Follow the vocal instructions STEP 6: Take the electrodes and apply them on the chest Follow the drawing on the electrodes to know where to place them. STEP 7: Cardiac rythm analysis The AED will provide clear audio voice and visual prompts. If a shock is advised, ensure everyone is clear of the victim. If no shock is advised the AED will instruct you to start CPR. STEP 8: Continue until Professional help arrives Continue following the AED’s instructions until professional medical assistance arrives. The AED will guide you on when to resume CPR or when additional shocks are needed. References: American Heart Association, “heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest differences” MSD Manual, “what’s the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest ?”  

How to recognize cardiac Arrest? Sudden cardiac arrest: How to recognize it and respond? A cardiac arrest is a medical emergency.  What are the warning signs ? Most people who had a cardiac arrest had one or more symptoms in the hour, days, or weeks before the event. But many people who have a cardiac arrest had no prior symptoms. Possible warning signs are:  Shortness of brath Extreme tiredness Back pain  Flu-like symptoms Belly pain, nausea and vomiting Chest pain, mainly angina Repeated dizziness or fainting  Heart palpitations Two most important barriers to recognition:  Agonal breathinbg – slow, laboured, abnormal breathing Seizure-like movements RAJOUT PARAPGRAPHE ALERT EMS – si on est seul ou sans pluie References: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institue: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cardiac-arrest/symptoms#:~:text=It%20is%20likely%20that%20a,they%20are%20gasping%20for%20air  ERC: https://cprguidelines.eu/#  

CPR Explained High quality CPR saves lives High quality CPR is the primary component in influencing survival from cardiac arrest. Every year in France, 40 000 people are victims of cardiac arrest for a survival rate around 7%. In the United States, this number climbs to 500 000 people and less than 15% survive.  Recommended guidelines High quality CPR adheres to AHA-recommended guidelines: Lower half of the sternum (in the centre of the chest) Compression depth: between 5 and 6 cm After each compression, release the pressure on the chest to allow full chest wall recoil Compressions should be delivered at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute Minimize interruptions in chest compressions If the rescuer doesn’t push enough, blood doesn’t reach the brain. The same is true if the rescuer doesn’t push fast enough. Without immediate intervention the brain and vital organs begin to die. Brain damage will start within 4min, and after 10 min the damages become irreversible.  Beginning CPR is the person only chance of survival. Compressions move oxygenated blood to the brain to keep it alive. They allow oxygen to keep moving to the heart muscle itself. This dramatically increases a victim’s chance of survival and reduces the risk of neurological damage. Don’t give up until an AED is placed on the victim’s chest. https://youtu.be/DUaxt8OlT3o?si=CEBVRiQb27L2_K__ References: American Heart Association, “heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest differences” Action First Aid.ca Fédération Française de la cardiologie

Keep your heart healthy Adopting certin behvaiors will help you take care of your heart in your daily life Our lifestyle and habits can contribute to the development of cardiovascular risk factors. Certain lifestyle factors can compromise our heart’s strength and potentially lead to cardiovascular disease, the world number one killer. The most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical activity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol. These behaviours can lead to raised blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, overweight and obesity, which can lead to a risk of developing cardiovascular disease. What is cardiovascular disease ? (CVD)? It’s a class of diseases that affects the heart or blood vessels (veins and arteries). Over 20,5 million people die from CVD worldwide. Of these deaths, 85% are due to coronary heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases and mostly affect low and middle income countries. There are different types of cardiovascular disease: heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or other conditions such as arrhythmia, aortic disease, cardiomiopathies, congenital heart disease for exemple. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. There are many risk factors. Some risk factors, such as family history, cannot be modified, while other risk factors, like high blood pressure, can be modified with treatment. You will not necessarily develop cardiovascular disease if you have a risk factor. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease, unless you take action and work to prevent your risk factors compromising your heart health. References: World Heart Federation: What is a cardiovascular disease ? Risk factors ? https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/cvd-causes-conditions/what-is-cvd/ Fédération française de cardiologie: Tips to adopt Fédération française de cardiologie: PDF “Santé du Coeur”  

Difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack Cardiac arrest and heart attack are very different events According to the American Heart Association: “people often use these terms interchangeably but those two events are different. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is a circulation problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem.” Both are serious medical emergencies Cardiac arrest and heart attack are both life-threatening events requiring immediate intertvention. For a heart attack the faster medical professionals can open the blockage, the less permanent damage is done to the heart muscle. For cardiac arrest, it’s essential to ensure that medical help is on the way as soon as possible. CPR should start immediately by one rescuer while other contacts the emergency services and retrieves an AED.  References: American Heart Association, “heart Attack and Sudden Cardiac Arrest differences” MSD Manual, “what’s the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest ?”  

Importance of AEDs and first aid gestures Importance of knowing the survival chain Everyone can be confronted to a situation where a victim is in need of help. At any time and anywhere. It is important to know the gestures to apply according to the situation or to be generally trained on first aid gestures. According to the American Heart association, early defibrillation combined with CPR more than doubles a victim’s chance of survival. Chances of survival decreases significantly with every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation. While first responders are CPR trained and usually have defibrillators, the average response time is between 8-10 minutes. When every minute is critical, early access to an AED can be the difference between life and death. It all happens in seconds, the victim collapses and the clock is ticking . Therefore, AEDs should be easily accessible in public spaces. You have to act fast. How to perform CPR ? Everyone can be confronted to a situation where a victim is in need of help. At any time and anywhere. It is important to know the gestures to apply according to the situation or to be generally trained on first aid gestures. Kneel by the side of the victim Place the heel of one hand in the center of the victim’s chest Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand and interlock your fingers  Keep your arms straight Position yourself  vertically above the victim’s chest and press down on the sternum at least 5cm (but not more thank 6cm)  After each compression, releas all the pressure on the chest without losing contact between your hands and the sternum Repeat at a rate of 100-120min *According to the ERC guidelines The survival rate in France is around 8%. A number 4 to 5 times higher in countries where public spaces are well equipped in defibrillators and where the global population is trained to first aid gestures.  Everyone can be confronted to this situation at any time and anywhere. It is important to highlight the fact that being trained can save lives.