Even if you are fortunate enough to be located near an EMS station, or
in an area with shorter than average response times, add to that the minutes needed to alert EMS, dispatch responders, and then once they arrive, get to the side of
the victim and set up a defibrillator. Are the fireman/EMTs full time or volunteers?
How do you know they won't be out on another call when they receive yours? Recall
that for every minute defibrillation is delayed a sudden cardiac arrest victim's
chance of survival decreases by 7-10%. Having your own team trained and prepared
to respond can make a difference when every minute counts. An early defibrillation
program is not a replacement for local emergency medical services, but a complimentary
program designed to save more lives.
Federal and most state laws provide "Good Samaritan" protection to properly trained
individuals who come to the aid of a sudden cardiac arrest victim. This protection
is generally conditioned on the defibrillator being properly maintained, and individuals
being properly trained in its use. For these reasons, many professionals suggest
that the best protection is to implement a complete early defibrillation program
that meets professionally accepted standards. There is a growing consensus that
having a defibrillation program may
help reduce liability, by providing treatment
without which a victim will most likely die. Increasingly, lawsuits are being waged
against organizations that have failed to have access to a defibrillator when an
emergency arose. In some states, certain organizations are required to have defibrillators
by law.
There is no exact rule to determine the number of defibrillators required for an
organization. The goal of an early defibrillation program is to achieve a 3-4 minute
response time from the collapse of the victim to arrival of the defibrillator and
delivery of the first shock. Among the objectives of a site assessment is to determine
the number of defibrillators required, and the most effective locations for their placement. High-risk locations, barriers to access, and other factors all must be
considered as part of a complete site assessment.
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time. Although there are certain
risk factors such as age, heart disease, and other conditions, many victims of SCA
have no prior heart problems or warning signs. Even children have been victims of
SCA.
Although CPR is very important, it only serves to "buy time" for a victim of sudden
cardiac arrest. SCA is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the heart - ventricular
fibrillation, and CPR alone cannot correct this. The shock delivered by a defibrillator
can interrupt this abnormal activity and allow the heart to resume its normal pumping
action. Defibrillation is the only definitive treatment for SCA. CPR is still important
to use in case the victim does not respond to defibrillation, or as instructed by
the defibrillator.
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