AEDs

The Need for AEDs

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a major cause of death in Canada and occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops beating effectively. It can happen at any age, anywhere and at any time.

In sudden cardiac arrest, the heart no longer pumps blood to the brain. Without the oxygen and nutrients supplied by the blood, brain cells begin to die within minutes, and death soon follows. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can help maintain oxygenation and blood circulation, but unless defibrillation is performed quickly, survival is unlikely.

When an AED is immediately available, the chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest can increase by 50% or more over CPR on its own.

But the window of opportunity for using an AED is small - defibrillation is more successful if performed within 5 minutes of the cardiac arrest. Studies show that the chances of survival decrease 7-10 percent with every minute that passes after the arrest. This is why your help is urgently needed in the effort to make AEDs accessible in public places across Ontario.

What is an AED?

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a machine that analyses and looks for shockable heart rhythms, advises the rescuer of the need for defibrillation and delivers that shock, if needed.

Its purpose is to reset a heart that has stopped beating effectively, usually caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF). The AED can also be applied to the sudden victim of cardiac arrest, a condition where the heart unexpectedly and abruptly quits beating. Cardiac arrest can also be caused by a lightning strike, electrocution, hypothermia, kidney failure or physical injury (trauma). Read more about AEDs.

AEDs save lives

Hockey great, Jiri Fischer was only 25 years old when he experienced a sudden cardiac arrest and he still doesn't know what caused his heart to accelerate. One thing he does know is that the combination of CPR and an on-site Automated External Defibrillator (AED) helped save his life. He is helping to raise awareness of the importance of AEDs and CPR, and shares the Heart and Stroke Foundation's vision to have AEDs become as commonplace as fire extinguishers.