A.E.D. is it realy the answer

[BURNSEMS]

I read alot of differing views about public service A.E.Ds, and I know this is being taught in alot of C.P.R. classes,, but my concern is that we are focusing on the Shock in the first few minuets and a equal and just as Deadly Threat is Hypoxia of the Brain and Heart Tissue,, without a well ventilated Pt even with prompt application of A.E.D. we have lost or will quickly Loose the battle,,, I am for the A.E.D. I just wonder if we are putting the Cart before the Horse.

[N2DFire]

A good question, however it is just as you said AED's are taught(mostly) in CPR classes, therefore any layperson who would pick up an AED should already know how to and have been taught to perform CPR thus eliminating (hopefully) the issue of hypoxia.

As a CPR instructor myself I know that I and the other instructors I work with strongly emphasise good CPR in conjuntion with the AED. I hope others would do likewise.

I do belive you have a legitimate point however in the area of "Public Access AED's" where they are being placed on the street like the old call boxes for any passer-by to yank down and shock someone. These are the people who may not know CPR.

I do not in any way mean to critisize the open access defib programs. I readily admit that I do not know enough about them to pass judgement. I'm making pure speculation at this point based on what little I have read on the subject. If anyone has an open access program in your area please share your views with us (And enlighten me as to how the program works).

Take Care - Stay Safe

[benson911]

It's my understanding that good CPR and ventilation of a patient with a fibrillating heart results in no success/chance for recovery. The AHA has done extensive research and determined the early defib of V-Fib is the critical element, followed by good CPR, BLS, ALS and then Hospital care. So, let those bystanders get those shocks in, so I can get the O2 and drugs in to keep the pt from returning to V-Fib and death.

[Quint1Medic]

Seems to me the whole question of good ventilation technique is academic unless there's circulation. To borrow BURNSEMS's analogy, the cart isn't gonna do much good when there's no horse to pull it! Hopefully, by the time the bystander's figured out how to stick the patches on and push the button, the medic unit will be rolling up with an ambu-bag.

To be perfectly honest, I've been doing this for years, and I'm not sure how good MY ventilation technique would be if someone coded in front of me when I didn't have a mask. Ick.

[Capez]

Just as an afterthougt. New studies indicate that chest compressions alone will sustain a code victem for short periods without ventilating due to the shut down of the periphery in a cardiac arrest, I think it was for witnessed arreasts? But if the dam SAED will convert then who cares. (Note: I never saw an SAED covert anybody to a useful rythm. Only to asystole)

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Alex Capezza BS, FO1, EMT-I