AED and Cpr

Should an AED Be Used Before or After CPR?

Every second counts when it comes to saving a life. In moments of emergency, when an individual collapses and displays no signs of life, those precious seconds can seem to stretch on forever. But if you’re equipped with both knowledge and the right tools, you can become the bridge between life and death.

One question that often arises in such a situation is, should one initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or use an automated external defibrillator (AED) first?

At GotAED, we’ve delved deep into this subject to bring clarity and understanding. Our aim is to empower bystanders and responders with the information they need to make the best decision in the critical moments following sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

Key concepts to understand

The Chain of Survival

The Chain of Survival is a term we at GotAED hold close to our hearts. It isn’t just a phrase—it’s a structured approach that increases the chances of survival after someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest. This chain comprises four essential links:
  1. Immediate Recognition and Calling for Help: Recognizing the signs of SCA and alerting emergency services as soon as possible.
  2. Early CPR: Administering chest compressions and, if trained, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation can keep the blood flowing and oxygenate the body.
  3. Rapid Defibrillation: Using an AED to deliver an electric shock and attempt to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.
  4. Advanced Life Support and Post-Cardiac Arrest Care: Delivered by healthcare professionals, this step ensures the patient receives the necessary medical intervention after revival.
These steps, when executed rapidly one after the other, can significantly improve the chances of survival and long-term recovery.

Good Samaritan laws

For those of us who aren’t medical professionals, the thought of intervening during a medical emergency can be daunting. What if we make a mistake? What if our actions lead to complications? This is where Good Samaritan laws come into play.

In essence, Good Samaritan laws protect individuals who offer help during emergencies from being prosecuted or sued for unintentional harm or mistakes, provided they acted in good faith. These laws are in place to encourage bystanders to step in without the fear of legal consequences. The specifics can vary from one jurisdiction to another, but their core purpose remains the same: to enable quick assistance and potentially save a life.

AED vs CPR: Which comes first?

Benefits of using an AED early

analytics-graph-bar

Impact on survival rates

Every minute that passes without defibrillation, the probability of survival diminishes by roughly 10%. This is a harrowing statistic. When we consider the time it takes for professional medical help to arrive, the urgency becomes even clearer. Early use of an AED, ideally within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, has been shown to increase the chances of survival by as much as 50% to 70%. This is a monumental jump and one that underpins the importance of quick action.

diagnose-heartbeat-heart-rate-pulse-medical-healthcare

Restoration of regular heart rhythm

Every minute that passes without defibrillation, the probability of survival diminishes by roughly 10%. This is a harrowing statistic. When we consider the time it takes for professional medical help to arrive, the urgency becomes even clearer. Early use of an AED, ideally within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, has been shown to increase the chances of survival by as much as 50% to 70%. This is a monumental jump and one that underpins the importance of quick action.

Minimizing potential brain damage and other complications

Every minute that passes without defibrillation, the probability of survival diminishes by roughly 10%. This is a harrowing statistic. When we consider the time it takes for professional medical help to arrive, the urgency becomes even clearer. Early use of an AED, ideally within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, has been shown to increase the chances of survival by as much as 50% to 70%. This is a monumental jump and one that underpins the importance of quick action.

The synergy between CPR and AED

aed required

How CPR prepares the heart for defibrillation

Contrary to common belief, CPR doesn’t necessarily “restart” the heart. Instead, CPR keeps oxygenated blood flowing, maintaining vital organ function and priming the heart for the moment when an AED becomes available. By compressing the chest, we manually pump blood, ensuring that when an AED delivers its shock, the heart has a better chance of resuming effective rhythm.

The continuous loop: Providing CPR while waiting for AED and between shocks

An AED doesn’t always succeed on the first try, and there can be intervals between shocks. During these periods, continuous CPR is vital. With each chest compression, we are essentially buying time. We are keeping the heart “alive” and in a state where the next shock from the AED has a better chance of being effective. This cyclical relationship between CPR and AED usage ensures the best possible outcome for the victim.

Importance of uninterrupted chest compressions

Studies have shown that even brief interruptions in chest compressions can drastically reduce the chances of a successful resuscitation. Effective CPR requires consistency. This means deep (2 inches or 5 cm), regular compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute. Ensuring consistent and high-quality compressions can be the difference between life and death. It’s also important to allow the chest to relax completely between compressions to allow for the heart to once again fill with blood.

Actionable guidelines for rescuers

One of the most critical steps during a sudden cardiac arrest is the immediate assessment. Before starting CPR or using an AED, the first thing any rescuer should do is check the responsiveness of the victim. Shake them gently, ask loudly if they’re okay, and look for signs of breathing. If there’s no response, the next step is straightforward: Call for help. Use a phone to dial emergency services (911 in the US) or shout out for someone nearby to do so. This ensures that trained medical professionals are on their way while you begin your life saving efforts.

Checking responsiveness and calling for help

Starting CPR immediately if no pulse or breathing is detected

Time is of the essence. If the victim isn’t breathing or has no pulse, begin CPR immediately. Position the person on a hard, flat surface, kneel beside them, and begin compressions. Push hard and push fast in the center of the chest. These actions alone can double or even triple the chances of survival.

If there’s an AED nearby, someone should retrieve it immediately while another continues CPR. Once the AED is ready, follow the device’s audio or visual prompts. If you’re alone, give CPR until the AED is set up and ready to use. Every minute counts, so the faster you can apply the AED, the better.

Using an AED as soon as it becomes available

Continuing CPR between AED shocks and after if necessary

Don’t stop CPR unless the AED instructs you to. After the shock is delivered, immediately resume chest compressions. If the AED advises no shock, continue CPR. Always follow the AED’s prompts until emergency personnel arrive.

Different situations might require variations in the CPR/AED process, such as: Drowning: After rescuing the person, start CPR before calling 911 if you’re alone. If you have help, one person should call 911 while the other starts CPR. Trauma: If someone suffers a trauma like a fall and isn’t breathing or showing a pulse, start CPR. If they’re breathing but unconscious, try to keep them as still as possible until help arrives to prevent potential spinal injury.

Guidelines for specific scenarios

Overcoming Barriers to AED Access and Use

The importance of AED availability in schools and community spaces

The devastating impact of sudden cardiac arrest is not limited to any one location or setting. Schools, where our children learn, play, and grow, can become the very places where a heart stops beating suddenly. Similarly, community spaces, bustling with activity and interactions, are not immune to the sudden nature of these cardiac events. Given the unpredictability of sudden cardiac arrests, the question isn’t whether we’ll encounter such a situation, but rather when and where.

Having an AED within arm’s reach can be the dividing line between life and death. With every passing minute that the heart remains in arrest, the chances of survival diminish by nearly 10%. Unfortunately, several community spaces and educational institutions remain unequipped, not out of neglect, but due to various challenges like financial constraints and lack of awareness.

AED Access and Use

Crowdfunding and community mobilization through platforms like GotAED

While challenges persist, solutions are on the horizon. One of these solutions, crowdfunding, is a strategy where individuals collectively pool their resources to fund a cause. Platforms like GotAED play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between necessity and availability, by enabling schools, organizations, and community spaces to fund their AED.

O que torna o GotAED único é o facto de reunir um grupo diversificado de apoiantes, incluindo não só contribuidores individuais, mas também entidades maiores, como casinos online, que reconheceram o potencial de salvar vidas destes dispositivos e avançaram para ajudar a disponibilizá-los. Na era digital de hoje, plataformas como a GotAED beneficiam do apoio dos casinos online. Estes casinos, que pode encontrar aqui: https://casino-portugal.pt/casinos/bwin-casino/, embora sejam conhecidos por oferecer uma grande variedade de jogos de azar, estão cada vez mais envolvidos em iniciativas de responsabilidade social. Muitos estão agora a canalizar os seus vastos recursos para causas como o financiamento dos DAE, reconhecendo o impacto positivo que podem ter no público. Estas contribuições estão alinhadas com os objectivos dos casinos de retribuir à comunidade, especialmente em áreas relacionadas com a saúde, onde uma intervenção atempada do DAE poderia salvar uma vida durante uma paragem cardíaca súbita. Para além do apoio financeiro, o envolvimento dos casinos online reflecte uma tendência crescente em que a indústria do jogo desempenha um papel mais activo nas causas sociais. A natureza altamente lucrativa dos jogos de azar permitiu que estes casinos reinvestissem os seus ganhos em empreendimentos filantrópicos. Ao patrocinarem plataformas como a GotAED, estas empresas demonstram que a indústria do jogo pode ser uma força para o bem, criando ambientes mais seguros em espaços públicos.



Through our platform, they can initiate campaigns, rallying their communities to understand the pressing need for an AED. With each successful campaign, not only does an institution become better equipped to handle emergencies, but the community becomes more educated and aware of sudden cardiac arrests. We provide a space for collective action, emphasizing the adage that many hands make light work.

When people come together, unified by a shared goal, the results can be extraordinary. Schools have been equipped, lives have been saved, and communities have been strengthened. But our work doesn’t end there. Our mission remains clear: to ensure that every school, every community space, is prepared for the unpredictable, safeguarding our future and the hearts that beat within it. Click here to learn more about GotAED.
impact heart function heart rate