The answer is, AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator.  They are designed to shock the heart into beating with a normal rhythm.   The AED analyzes the heart’s rhythm then states whether a shock is advised and then charges.   The AED tells the operator when to deliver the shock.

The AED recognizes two deadly heart rhythms – ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.

Ventricular fibrillation is when the heart is not getting enough oxygen and tries to compensate by producing its own electrical impulses with no organized pattern to get blood flowing.  Ventricular tachycardia is an organized pattern of electrical activity where it is so fast that the ventricles are basically quivering.   The AED recognizes both of these patterns and provides the correct shock to restore the heart’s rhythm.

East Coast Medical Training offers The Heartsaver® CPR AED course for anyone with limited or no medical training who needs an AHA course completion E-card in CPR and AED use to meet job, regulatory, or other requirements.  Students who successfully complete the course will receive a course completion AHA and E-card valid for two years.