Teacher’s quick action saves student
An AED seems as necessary as a fire extinguisher if you ask me.
Wendy Swain
Teacher, AED and CPR advocate
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The heart suddenly stops beating.
Teacher’s quick action saves student
An AED seems as necessary as a fire extinguisher if you ask me.
Wendy Swain
Teacher, AED and CPR advocate
Read Wendy's storyCardiac arrest happens suddenly. There are usually no warning signs.
Sudden collapse
Unresponsive to touch or sound
Not breathing or is making gasping sounds
Do you have a couple of minutes? That's enough to learn the basics of CPR and how to use an AED. Watch our short videos below.
Cardiac arrest can occur:
- at any age
- at any time
- to people of all fitness levels
- without warning.
Most cardiac arrests are caused by arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) that may not be diagnosed ahead of time. Other causes include:
Electrocution, drowning, choking, trauma, respiratory distress
Recreational drug use
Cardiac arrest and heart attack are not the same thing, although people often confuse the terms. Both are medical emergencies.
The heart has stopped pumping
Caused by an abnormal heart rhythm
The heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body
It is a medical emergency
Death occurs in minutes without immediate action.
The heart is not getting enough blood so it starts to die
Caused be a blockage of blood flow to the heart
The heart is continues to pump blood
It is a medical emergency
Damage to the heart increases with every minute of treatment delay.
Sudden collapse
Unresponsive to touch or sound
Not breathing or making gasping sounds.
Person is generally conscious.
Signs include:
Chest or upper body discomfort, sweating
nausea, shortness of breath, and light-headedness.
Call 9-1-1 and shout for a defibrillator
Start CPR
Use a defibrillator as soon as it arrives
Don't hesitate. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Call 9-1-1
Stop all activity. Sit or lie down
Take your nitroglycerin
Chew ASA (Aspirin) (one 325 mg or two 81 mg tablets).
Rest and wait.