What to expect to find in an AED kit?

You are most likely to find the following things in an AED emergency kit:

• a face shield, that is to be used while performing the artificial breathing
• a pair of rubber gloves that must be worn while handling the defibrillator so as not to do any harm to yourself
• a pair of scissors to cut the patient's clothes in order to get faster access to the chest area
• a towel to dry the patient's chest, as the chest surface must not be wet during the procedure
• a razor to shave the hair off the patient's chest, in case this procedure is needed

In most of the cases, the sudden heart arrest comes with no previous warning, so it is advisable for institutions, public places like malls, shops and health clubs to have an AED device available at any time.

Using the automated external defibrillator kit

It is a scientifically demonstrated fact that a patient suffering from heart arrest has higher chances of survival if taken care within the framework of a hospital. But the sudden heart arrest comes without any preliminary signs in 90 % of the cases, so it is highly likely that the heart arrest occurs outside the hospital, thus increasing the need for automated external defibrillator kits to be placed in key locations.

It is very important that a defibrillation takes place within seconds of the heart arrest - so an AED kit has to be present at all times in crowded locations. In this case the rule 'the sooner the better' applies. Actually, with each minute that passes the effectiveness of the defibrillation decreases by at least 10%. By keeping an automated external defibrillator (AED) in all institutions and public places, the number of survivors of possible sudden heart arrests will increase notably. Many institutions consider AED kits as being standard equipment, as important as fire extinguishers and keep them at hand accordingly.

AED kits are more accesible

In the last years, the price of an AED device has halved, so as to make it more accessible to people and institutions. The price of an AED differs, but it is usually around $1500-$2000. it is not so pricey, compared to the potential number of lives it might save.

There are many AED endorsing campaigns going on in the US and worldwide as well. Being aware of the existence of these AEDs and their utilization may save thousands of lives all year long. Being ignorant to important issues like cardiac arrest won't help. You never know when you or someone near you will need first aid. The accessibility as well as the fact that they are so easy to use, has given way to the concept of PAD- public access defibrillation. This means that everybody may use an AED if they are put in the position of saving a person's life.

When non-medical users get access to AEDs

However, if the person performing the defibrillation does not succeed in resuscitating the patient, they will not be held responsible for the unfortunate result, according to the Good Samaritan Laws. In these cases the harm or death caused by unsuccessful defibrillation procedures will be considered unintentional. So all in all, the AED is a life-savior, easy to use device. The public usage of AED can account for many saved lives and is very beneficial for all people around the world. You even might be the one to perform a successful resuscitation. This makes you a valuable person for the society you are living in.