| If your business, school, or home has a portable, | | | | position of authority should learn how to use the |
| automated defibrillator, you should participate in | | | | devices in case an emergency happens. |
| defibrillator training. That education will help you | | | | Defibrillator training often includes the basics of |
| learn to use the defibrillator, recognize the signs of | | | | CPR and AED use. Both of these are considered |
| sudden cardiac arrest, and give you the | | | | important initial treatments for cardiac arrest. |
| preparation to respond to an emergency. | | | | While many individuals may have already had CPR |
| We've all seen the stories on the news about | | | | training, the training can be looked at as practice |
| young athletes collapsing during games. Although | | | | that will only help in an emergency. Training may |
| we probably think of heart problems as | | | | cover the use of barrier devices when CPR is |
| something that only affects older individuals, the | | | | given, which works to protect everyone involved. |
| reality is that anyone can experience sudden | | | | In addition, the training my include first aid for |
| cardiac arrest. Research also shows that without | | | | choking. |
| defibrillation within the first few minutes, many | | | | Another important aspect of the many AED |
| individuals will not survive. | | | | training sessions is recognition of common |
| More schools, businesses, and other public places | | | | emergencies such as heart attacks, cardiac |
| are purchasing portable defibrillators for | | | | arrest, stroke, and airway obstruction. Recognizing |
| emergency situations, knowing that quick action | | | | what the problem is and providing the correct |
| can save a life. Many units include audio | | | | treatment is crucial to solve the problem. As |
| instructions that guide users through the | | | | defibrillation only helps cardiac arrest, other |
| defibrillation process. These units are designed so | | | | emergencies should be treated in other ways. |
| that anyone, even those with little to no training, | | | | The classes often last for several hours, but after |
| can help save a life using the device. | | | | that time attendees will have greater knowledge |
| Even though the units are user friendly, experts | | | | about what to do in case of an emergency. You |
| still recommend defibrillator training for anyone | | | | never know when defibrillator training will be |
| who may have to use one of the units. Teachers, | | | | needed and it's best to be prepared in case you |
| coaches, security guards, and anyone else in a | | | | are faced with someone in cardiac arrest. |