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When sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) strikes, quick access to CPR and defibrillation are critical for survival. An abnormal heart rhythm that comes on suddenly and without warning often brings on sudden cardiac arrest (unlike a heart attack, which often has prior symptoms). My company, Systemax Manufacturing, located outside Piqua, Ohio (about 25 miles north of Dayton) learned in a dramatic way just how important automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are when one of our employees collapsed in sudden cardiac arrest.
Ashen colored, in distress
One day in February 2004,1 was summoned from a meeting to the factory floor where our company builds computers. An employee who repairs customer computer units for warranty and handles other responsibilities was ashen colored and in distress. Only 47 years old then, he had no sign of heart dis ease although his cholesterol and other blood lipid counts were high. He looked to me like he needed to take a ride in an ambulance. After telling me he didn't want to go to the hospital, he passed out and fell forward into my arms.
As a former assistant fire chief, CPR instructor and emergency medicine teacher, I knew what to do. I had the employee's supervisor call 9-1-1 and with the help of my brother-in-law, who also works for the company, got him down on the floor to begin CPR. I sent a colleague for the Medtronic LIFEPAK 500 AED, and he rushed it to the man's side, where I had already cleared his airway and begun CPR. It took about one minute from the time the employee was on the ground to the time I could provide defibrillation. Initially, the AED's audio prompt said "no shock advised." I continued performing CPR because he was not breathing and had no pulse.
After a few additional seconds of CPR, the LIFEPAK 500 AED indicated the time was right for defibrillation. I wasted no time figuring out how to operate the AED, because it was so simple to use. It's a very easy machine to fire up. You just follow the pictures, icons...