Having an AED available significantly increases the chances of surviving a heart attack, particularly a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Here's a breakdown of the difference:
- Without an AED: Survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are very low, around 7% to 9%.
- With an AED: Studies show a dramatic improvement. Bystander use of an AED can increase survival rates to 38% or even higher.
Here's a more specific breakdown:
- Early defibrillation is crucial: The chance of survival decreases by about 10% with each minute that defibrillation is delayed [1]. An AED can analyze the heart rhythm and deliver a shock if necessary, potentially restarting the heart.
- AEDs are user-friendly: They are designed for bystanders with little to no medical training to use. The AED provides clear voice instructions to guide the user through the process.
- Time is critical: Studies suggest that 9 in 10 SCA victims who receive a shock from an AED within the first minute survive [2].
Here are some resources for further information:
- Importance of Rapid Defibrillation & Survival Rate: https://avive.life/features/aed-specifications/
- Cardiac arrest survival greatly increases when bystanders use an automated external defibrillator: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.010905