Are All AEDs the Same?
While all AEDs are designed to defibrillate, they vary in the capabilities of their waveform technology (i.e. the “therapy” itself), rhythm recognition, ease of use, safety, weight, and manufacturer's support. It is important to consider these issues as well as the quality of research that has gone into any particular AED when evaluating them.

Are There Limits Regarding Who the AED Can Be Used On?
AED defibrillation therapy is appropriate for infants and children, as well as adults, as long as the appropriate pads are used. Typically, children over 55 lbs (25 kg) or 8 years of age are defibrillated as adults.

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Who Can it Happen to?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), also known as ventricular fibrillation (VF), is an electrical malfunction of the heart. With VF, the regular, systematic pumping action of the heart’s chambers stops because the normal electrical signal that runs through the heart in a prescribed sequence has been interrupted for some reason. Electrical chaos ensues, and results in uncontrolled, non-productive quivering of the heart chambers.
There are many causes – congenital defects, illness, heart attack, environmental conditions, even physical contact! A hard blow to the chest can knock a healthy youngster or a well-conditioned athlete, into cardiac arrest. Dehydration or heat exertion can do the same. Did you know that most drowning victims go into cardiac arrest as well? The bottom line is that anyone, at any age, can become a victim of sudden cardiac arrest!

Are There Any Warning Signs of SCA?
No, and sadly enough the first sign of heart problems in most men is sudden cardiac arrest. SCA claims more than 350,000 lives each year, primarily because lifesaving treatment, that is, early defibrillation, does not reach the victims within the first critical minutes.

Is SCA the Same Thing as a Heart Attack?
No! A heart attack and SCA are two different things, although they can occur together. A heart attack is caused by a blockage in a coronary artery which results in a sustained lack of blood flow (and consequently oxygen) to a part of the heart. If the blockage is not resolved in a timely manner, the heart tissue below the blockage will "infarct" or die. If the dead tissue also happened to be part of the heart’s specialized electrical system, SCA could be triggered.
During a heart attack, the heart can continue to beat, and often the victim remains conscious. In fact, people can be having heart attacks and not even know it! (This is known as a silent heart attack.) Typically however, a person having a heart attack experiences considerable discomfort or pain in the chest, left arm, jaw, back, or neck, and at some point may lose consciousness.

How Does an AED “Treat” SCA?
A heart in SCA is very much like an hysterical person that can't be calmed down. A shock to the heart acts just like a slap in the face for the hysterical person. It stuns the heart tissue, disrupting the electrical chaos, and allows the normal electrical sequencing of the heart (and, subsequently pumping action) to resume.

The Paramedics are Close By; Why Should We Have an AED?
Although your local Fire Station may be just around the corner, there are many factors that can delay their response. The engines may not be in when they get your call. There may be traffic issues. It may take them some time to get from the curb to the building, and from the entrance to the victim. While a 6-8 minute response time seems very efficient, consider the fact a victim's chance of survival from SCA decreases by 10% with every minute that passes, and less than 5% of SCA victims survive with CPR alone. And ask yourself how long the patient was down before he/she was found? How tragic it is when EMS arrives on the scene only to find that the patient has already died.

Does the AED Take the Place of CPR?
No. The AED is part of CPR. For maximum benefits (that is, best chance of survival) you must use the two tools together!

Can I Hurt Someone with an AED?
No! There are two things to remember here. First, a victim of SCA is essentially dead. Early defibrillation represents that person’s only chance for survival. Second, AEDs will not shock someone who does not need to be shocked. It’s that simple.

What About Using an AED on Metal or Wet Surfaces?
Always check with the manufacturer, but most AEDs because they are self grounded, can be safely used in wet environments and on metal surfaces with no risk to the victim or rescuer.