In The Loop

Automatic External Defibrillators 

This weeks Safety Topic is on Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)

  • All Toro Australia Sites have an AED at each location. 
  • All AED’s are the same make & model (Heartsine Samaritan 500P) at Toro locations
    • The Heartsine Samaritan 500P AED is equipped with “CPR Advisor” - Real Time CPR Feedback (best available technology to date to save a life). CPR Advisor provides feedback to rescuers on the effectiveness of the CPR they are providing to the victim.
    • The 500p model uses both ECG & ICG measurements to analyse the effectiveness and the rate of compressions given and based on this will advise the rescuer to push harder, faster or slower as appropriate.
    • Feedback on the quality of the compressions being given is provided to the responder by means of both audible and visual prompts.
    • Good quality CPR is vital part of the resuscitation process. By performing CPR you are manually restoring blood circulation and oxygen to the body/brain. This is the critical part of saving a life. 
    • See video below for how it works.

One of the most frequent questions asked is “Do you need training to use a Defibrillator”?

 

NO, you do not need training to use an AED. Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) are designed to be easy to use so that any member of the public can help someone in cardiac arrest before medical personnel arrives.

 

Most of the defibrillators for public access are small, lightweight, and semi or fully automatic. They provide step-by-step instructions on how to operate them, how to position the pads for delivering the shock and what to do after.