This website uses cookies. Cookies remember you so we can give you a better online service. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more about how we use cookies.
OK
Your region is set to . If this is incorrect, please change your location. Change Location
logo
|  | 
Search
Portal | Careers | Branch Locations | Contact us
 Toll Free: 1-800-555-5555
  • SEARCH
    Search
  • FIRST AID TRAINING
  • |
  • FIRST AID KITS & PRODUCTS
  • |
  • COMMUNITY SERVICES
  • |
  • SAFETY TIPS & RESOURCES
  • |
  • HOW YOU CAN HELP
  • About Us
  • Media Centre
  • Order of St. John
  • Customer Service

  • HOME | Contact us | Privacy Policy | My SJA

Your Location is: , To change location, click here >>

  • Accueil
    • À propos de nous
    • Ce que vous pouvez faire
    • Centre de presse
    • Conseils de sécurité
    • eReg
    • Formation en secourisme
    • L'Ordre de Saint-Jean
    • Service à la clientèle
    • Services à la collectivité
  • Corporate Gift
  • Courses
  • Fundraiser 360
  • HomeCurrently selected
    • eRegistration
    • About Us
    • Community Services
    • Customer Service
    • First aid training
    • How You Can Help
    • Media Centre
    • Safety Tips and Resources
    • St. John International
    • The Order of St. John
    • Privacy Policy
    • MySJA
    • SearchPage
    • St John Instructor Alberta
    • Alberta Provincial Competitions
    • What to Expect at the St John Alberta Provincial
    • Alberta Awards of Excellence and Order of St John Nominations
    • First Aid Summer Seat Sale
    • Intranet-Redirect
  • Homesafe
  • Press Releases
  • Sweater
SAFETY TIPS AND RESOURCES
HEALTH AND SAFETY
    EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
      EMERGENCY RESPONSE
        RESPONSE TO DISASTERS
        • FIRE
        • FLOOD
        • HURRICANE
        • SEVERE WINTER STORMS
      IDENTIFY THE RISKS
        PREPARE EMERGENCY PLANS
          TYPES OF EMERGENCY KITS
            EMERGENCY SUPPLY INDEX
              EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR KIDS
                EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS BLOG
                AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AEDS)
                  FAST FACTS
                    MYTHS DEBUNKED
                      LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES
                        AEDS SAVE LIVES!
                        BE PREPARED
                          WHERE CAN I GET AED TRAINING
                            AED OPTIONS
                              HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR AED AND POST-USE TIPS
                              PUBLIC ACCESS TO AEDS
                                WHAT IS AN AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR
                                  WHY AEDS ARE IMPORTANT
                                    WHAT IS SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST (SCA)
                                  WORKPLACE SAFETY
                                    PRODUCTS
                                    THE BC BIG ONE
                                      SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
                                        SUMMER SAFETY
                                          THREE SAFE AND EASY CAMPING RECIPES
                                          WINTER SAFETY
                                          • FROSTBITE: PREVENTION AND FIRST AID
                                          CPR
                                            CHOKING
                                              FOOD SAFETY
                                                CHILD SAFETY
                                                  AED
                                                    FIRE SAFETY
                                                      HEART-ATTACK
                                                        EMERGENCY-PREPAREDNESS-(EP)
                                                          KNOW-THE-RISKS
                                                            MAKE-A-PLAN
                                                              GET-A-KIT
                                                                DISASTER-GUIDE
                                                                  RESOURCES
                                                                    STORIES
                                                                    CHARITY
                                                                      STROKE
                                                                        HEAT STROKE
                                                                          COVID-19 RESOURCES

                                                                          Home>Safety Tips and Resources>Why AEDs Are Important
                                                                          • Tweet
                                                                          • DONATE LOCALLY >
                                                                          • DONATE NATIONALLY >
                                                                          • BUY A KIT >
                                                                          • TAKE A COURSE >
                                                                          Page Content

                                                                          ​AEDs – The only effective intervention for sudden cardiac arrest


                                                                          An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a small, lightweight, and portable electronic device that delivers an electric shock through the chest wall of a person whose heart has stopped beating. It is proven to be one of the most important tools in saving the life of someone suffering sudden cardiac arrest; that's why St. John Ambulance   recommends that you equip your space  with an AED.

                                                                          What is sudden cardiac arrest? It occurs when heart function ceases abruptly and without warning. The heart is no longer able to pump blood to the rest of the body. Not to be confused with a heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem that creates an abnormal heart rhythm, preventing the heart from pumping blood to all vital organs.


                                                                          Sudden cardiac arrest is unpredictable;    it can happen anywhere, anytime, at any age, and without any warning. In fact, one occurs every 12 minutes in Canada and, with each passing minute before AED application, the probability of survival declines by 7-10%. Time is of the essence in these situations and using an AED is the only effective intervention.



                                                                          How does an AED work?

                                                                          An AED is programmed to recognize and shock two types of abnormal heart rhythms: Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) and Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (Pulseless VT). Because of this, it will not shock a normally beating heart.

                                                                           



                                                                          If an AED recognizes either of these rhythms, it will charge and indicate that a shock is advised, usually with a voice command. The benefit of the shock is to correct the abnormal electrical disturbance that is causing the irregular heart rhythm, and re-establish a normal heart rhythm.

                                                                          Be aware that legislation in most provinces and territories across Canada protects individuals who use AEDs from liability when they are used in the context of saving a life, so don’t be afraid to intervene! The only provinces and territory without Good Samaritan laws are New Brunswick and Nunavut.



                                                                           

                                                                          Using an AED - A step-by-step guide

                                                                           
                                                                          Because all AEDs emit clear voice prompts and most have legible and visual instructions, they can be used by anyone, regardless of age of experience. In fact, using an AED is one of the easiest first aid techniques you can master.

                                                                          Once you press the ON button or open the cover on an AED, it will guide you through the following step-by-step process with clear voice prompts:
                                                                          1. Call 9-1-1
                                                                          2. Expose the chest.
                                                                          3. Attach cables to electrode pads (with some models, both are pre-connected).
                                                                          4. Make sure the chest is dry – the pads will adhere better to a smooth, dry surface. If the chest is very hairy and you have access to the necessary materials, shave the chest.
                                                                          5. Peel away the protective plastic and attach the electrode pads. Position a pad on the right upper anterior side of the person’s chest, just below the collarbone. Position the second pad on the left lower anterior chest wall, just below the nipple. Some electrodes have handy diagrams on them, showing you where they should be placed.
                                                                          6. Stand back and ensure no one is touching the individual.
                                                                          7. Press the ANALYZE button on the defibrillator and follow the voice prompts (some machines automatically analyze when the pads are applied).
                                                                          8. Once the machine has analyzed the heart rhythm, it will indicate via voice control whether a shock is required, or no shock is required.
                                                                          9. If shock is required, push the flashing shock button. Some AEDs will automatically shock the casualty without the need to push a button.

                                                                          While using an AED is simple, we recommend pairing it with CPR and AED training. The other benefit of a St. John Ambulance training program is that we can guide you through some of the considerations and special circumstances for using an AED, so tha you are SETTM to Save a Life.

                                                                          Post-AED-Use Patient Care

                                                                           
                                                                          If an incident requires the use of an AED, ensure whoever used it remains on scene to give first responders a complete report of the event and any significant findings. Afterwards, have that person write an account of:
                                                                          • What happened,
                                                                          • What steps were taken, and
                                                                          • What symptoms were witnessed
                                                                          This documentation is part of the patient's private medical history, and must be treated as confidential at all times. However, it's an important step, as it may contain information that will be helpful to the patient's subsequent treatment and recovery.

                                                                          Also, be aware that there may be more than one patient in the aftermath of an incident. Events requiring the use of a defibrillator can be traumatic, especially for people with no first-responder training. Be sure your staff, any participants, and witnesses are provided with a debriefing, and, if required, refer them to professional counselling services within 24 hours of the incident. Most fire halls and police stations can provide direction in securing debriefing services. However, you should prepare a contact name and number in advance.
                                                                           

                                                                          How AEDs have saved lives

                                                                           
                                                                          Having the confidence to respond to a cardiac arrest with an AED can mean the difference between life and death. Reports of AED success stories regularly appear in the media – here are just some examples of how AEDs can save lives.
                                                                          • AED helps save a teen hockey player’s life
                                                                          • Teen saves man at baseball game with AED
                                                                          • Man’s Life Saved with AED at Car Dealership
                                                                          • 19 Lives Saved by Airport AED

                                                                          As AEDs have become more portable, user-friendly, and compact, they have also become more economically accessible to the average consumer. With the evolution of the technology, the only real question that remains is how anyone can afford not to have an AED handy.

                                                                          Want to learn how to use an AED with confidence?


                                                                          St. John Ambulance provides a range of AED training programs. If you’re interested in knowing more about how to use an AED and couple it with CPR, you can find a program near you. With nearly 100 locations across Canada, as well as some courses found online, St. John Ambulance can help equip you with the training and tools to save a life.

                                                                          ​Where can I take St. John Ambulance first aid training to learn how to use an AED?
                                                                          We are the largest provider of regularly scheduled first aid training programs in Canada. Please visit the Registration page to find first aid training offered in your province.
                                                                          ​How do I register for St. John Ambulance first aid training, including skills for proper use of an AED?
                                                                          We offer training right across Canada, as well as online (selected courses only). Please visit the Registration page to register for a first aid training session that’s convenient for you, or call your local office. Click here for our  locations.
                                                                          How can I speak to someone at St. John Ambulance if I have questions or want to find out more?
                                                                          Please call your local office. Click here for our locations.
                                                                          ​

                                                                           



                                                                           

                                                                          • About Us

                                                                            • Mission, Vision & Values
                                                                            • SJA History in Canada
                                                                            • Corporate Information
                                                                            • Locations
                                                                          • Media Centre

                                                                            • Media Contacts
                                                                            • News Releases
                                                                          • The Order of St. John

                                                                            • Membership (Roll of the Order)
                                                                            • The Order of St. John in Canada
                                                                            • International Initiatives
                                                                            • St. John's Canadian Initiatives
                                                                            • St. John Eye Hospital
                                                                            • The Canadian Honours System
                                                                            • Honours & Awards
                                                                            • Fellowship
                                                                          • Customer Service

                                                                            • Request a copy of your First Aid Certificate
                                                                            • Request First Aid Coverage for Your Event
                                                                            • Request for Therapy Dog Services
                                                                            • Life Saving Award Application
                                                                            • Contact Us
                                                                            • FAQs
                                                                          • Contact us

                                                                            • Contact us form >>
                                                                          logo
                                                                          St. John Ambulance is an international humanitarian
                                                                          Organization and is a foundation of the Order of St. John.
                                                                          History / St. John Links / Contact St John International / About St. John

                                                                          Copyright 2021 - St. John Ambulance Canada. All Rights Reserved.
                                                                          Charitable Organization number:

                                                                          HOME | Contact us | Privacy Policy | Cookie Statement | My SJA