Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are increasing in number in public spaces. Helping to treat more people with the sudden onset of cardiac arrest as a result of heart failure. There presence is crucial as coronary heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the UK (NHS).
Less emphasis is placed on children and school environments as luckily there are far less instances of cardiac arrests within this age group. However young children can still suffer with a sudden cardiac arrest, in which the presence of an AED could be the difference between life and death.
Increasing the number of AEDs in the public domain can result in an increase in the number of lives saved. This rule can also apply to child care settings and areas where children gather together.
When an AED is available the ‘chain of survival’ should be initiated during the onset of cardiac arrest. The emergency services should be notified immediately and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) should commence whilst awaiting the arrival of the AED.
CPR should continue without interruption whilst the AED is being prepared for use. Only pausing when the pads are ready to be placed into position.
Some AEDs may require the machine to be placed into paediatric mode (usually by the push of a button). Others may have separate paediatric pads that can quickly replace the adult electrode pads already attached to the unit.
Both of these options can typically attenuate the output of the machine to 50-75 J, which will protect the child from harm.
AEDs treat ventricular fibrillation (likened to heart failure) which is always increased during physical exertion. There is no coincidence why major sport stars have cardiac arrests whilst playing, and this includes the grassroot levels of the game.
PE lessons, school football matches and sports day are all common times when a child could suffer a sudden cardiac arrest (however rare they may be). If in close proximity to an AED the child's life could be saved.
This highlights the potential benefits of having AEDs within the school premises and close to the sports facilities. Put simply there is no bad place to have an AED, and having more units will save more lives...