3 things you need to know when using a defibrillator

When someone goes into cardiac arrest, theheart is either in a useless, abnormal rhythm, or without rhythm.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)are an effective way for any person to try to help correct an abnormal rhythm.

While there are no guarantees, it could potentially save alife.

Here are three things you should know:

1. When someone goes down, minutes mean everything

Step one: call 911.

Step two: send anyone nearby for an AED.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, someone using anAEDhasup to a 75 per cent chance of saving a life, if the machine is used immediately. After more than 12 minutes, the cardiac victims chance of survival is less than fiveper cent.

2.The machine determines whether to shock, not you

If you just aren't sure whether an unresponsive person is in cardiac arrest, turn the machine on and follow instructions.

Once connected, it will read the electrical activity in the persons body. If it needs to shock, the machine will tell you to stand clear and hit the button.

3.Don't worry about a lawsuit when usinganAED

Every province has legislation protecting from legal reprisal any person doing his or herbest to save a life, even ifsomething goes wrong or the patient doesn't survive.