Defibrillation
Defibrillation is the process by which an electric shock is administered to a person experiencing an irregular heart rhythm known as fibrillation. This prevents the heart from fully pumping. When it occurs blood cannot flow from the lungs to the rest of the body. This means that after just a few minutes, tissues and organs can begin to fail and die, including the brain. In just four minutes without oxygen, the brain cells die off, and irreversible damage is done. Getting the blood flowing back through the body needs to be done as soon as possible, and while CPR can be used to keep the victim stable until help arrives, the only way to truly remedy the problem is through defibrillation.
The device needed to send the proper shock to the heart to reset its rhythm is an automated external defibrillator (AED). These are always carried on ambulances, and they can also be found in many public areas such as shopping malls and airports. A rescuer does not need special training in order to use an AED. The auditory instructions walk the user through the steps needed to use the machine to monitor the victim's vital signs and to administer an electric shock if it is needed.
While they were once only available to medical professionals, automated external defibrillators can be purchased for use by the public as a safety device. By offering a faster means of giving emergency care to a victim of fibrillation, the AED can save a life.