CPR, First Aid, BLS, ACLS, PALS certifications.
Our online ACLS certification course includes understanding the physiology of the heart, overview of BLS and ACLS, ACLS Pharmacology, and AED training. The course is best suited for healthcare and medical professionals. It has 2 years validity. A group of 5 or more can take advantage of group discounts.
When someone goes into cardiac arrest, defibrillation might be the only treatment to restore normal heart activity and save their life. The AED has in-built voice prompts which come in handy to tackle this life-threatening situation. This is the case when the rhythm is irregular, as with Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) and pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), which are discussed in the next chapter.
STEPS | ASSESSMENT | TECHNIQUE/ACTION | |
1 | Check for response |
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2 | Activate the emergency response system and get AED |
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3 | Circulation |
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4 | Defibrillation |
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In a situation where the patient is in cardiac arrest and the rhythm is VF or pulseless VT, defibrillation is the only treatment. Defibrillation stops the arrhythmias from continuing and assists in obtaining normal heart rhythm. ALWAYS REMEMBER DEFIBRILLATION DOES NOT RESTART THE HEART! It “shocks” the heart with electrical impulses. IMPORTANT: IMMEDIATELY RESUME CPR AFTER DEFIBRILLATION! Most common rhythms seen in sudden cardiac arrest are VF and pulseless VT and for that reason early defibrillation is very important.
AEDs may have different models and manufactures, but most of them can be used by using the following steps:
Step | Action |
1 | Turn on the AED |
2 | Put the electrode pads to the patient’s bare chest
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3 | Analyze the rhythm
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4 | If shock is needed, CLEAR THE PATIENT
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5 | Continue CPR beginning with chest compressions
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You have completed Chapter VII. Now you should be able to: