What is an AED? 

An Automatic External Defibrillator is a tool that dramatically increases the chances of survival for people who suffer Sudden Cardiac Arrest by detecting an abnormal heart rhythm and delivering a measured electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm.

Victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) have no pulse, stop breathing and are unresponsive due to a heart rhythm disorder called ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib).  V-Fib can happen to any healthy adults and children at any time! The only treatment offering the possibility of avoiding premature death from VF is immediate electrical heart defibrillation with an AED. 50% -60% of SCA are caused by V-Fib.  V-fib can occur unrelated to a heart attack such as electrocution, drug overdose, near drowning, and an impact to the chest.

Why do I need an AED?

Sudden Cardiac arrest could happen to YOU, a loved one, customer, or a co-worker. By providing immediate access to an AED program in your home, workplace or community You can make a life saving difference.  Your commitment to saving lives offers the greatest hope to victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Consider these facts: 

• Only 5% of all SCA victims survive without an AED program*.
• As high as 74% SCA victims who received CPR and Defibrillation within 3 to 5 minutes after collapse survive*.
• Chances for the victim's survival decreases by seven to 10% each minute without defibrillation*.
• The first person on the scene is usually a lay person, not a paramedic.  Emergency Medical personnel, though as important and well trained as they may be, cannot always be expected to arrive on the scene in the first few vital minutes of an emergency.
• Modern AED's are easy to use. AED's give voice prompts. They determine when to defibrillate and notify the user when CPR is necessary.  Philips AED's give real time coaching for administering CPR. 
• Defibrillators can and should be a part of any Emergency Response Program as much as fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, or first-aid kits.  Small businesses, office buildings, health clubs, restaurants, shopping centers all should have access to AED's. Fitness centers, hockey arenas, ball fields and other venues where impact to the chest could occur should especially consider providing immediate access to AED's. AED's will soon be everywhere.

(Above from left to right: Philips HeartStart FR2, FRx and Onsite AEDs.)

Go to the Philips HeartStart Page

*American Heart Association, Know the Facts, Get the Stats 2006. Dallas, Texas: American Heart Association, 2002-2006.