Lexington County EMS believes very strongly in the importance of early defibrillation and is committed to improving Public Access Defibrillation (PAD). EMS purchased Automated External Defibrillators for all of the County's First Responding Fire Departments in the mid 1990's.

Normally, the Electrical conduction system in the heart produces an electrical impulse that is carried across the heart muscle to make it contract. This organized, uniform electical conduction creates the pulse that delivers blood throughout the body.

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest strikes up to 350,000 Americans each year. Most commonly, the victim is suffering from a disorder called ventricular fibrillation (VF)-a chaotic rhythm in the main pumping chamber of the heart. This chaotic rhythm causes the heart to quiver and the pumping action no longer occurs. Blood is no longer pumped throughout the body.

In this case, the victim needs defibrillation-an electric shock to correct the heart's rhythm. (In a very few cases, the victim may need only CPR.)

If the victim does not receive CPR and Defibrillation, the cells in the brain will start to die within about 4-6 minutes.

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What is Defibrillation?

Defibrillation is the delivery of an electric shock to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. This shock may halt the rapid and chaotic heart activity of sudden cardiac arrest, and help the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm of its own.

The earlier defibrillation is administered, the better. With every passing minute after sudden cardiac arrest occurs, the odds of the victim's survival decrease by 7-10%. The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that early defibrillation could raise survival rates 30 percent or more.

According to the AHA, PAD...has the potential to be the single greatest advance in the treatment of VF cardiac arrest since the invention of CPR.

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What's an AED?

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that analyzes the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, allows a rescuer to deliver an electric shock to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. This shock, called defibrillation, may halt the rapid and chaotic heart activity of sudden cardiac arrest, and help the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm of its own. 

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Who should use it?

AEDs are used by Emergency Medical Technicians and first responders like policemen and fire fighters. Their simplicity and reliability also allows use by minimally trained laypersons like security guards, health club employees, flight attendants, lifeguards, and office personnel. There are many companies in Lexington County that have also committed themselves to improving Public Access Defibrillation.

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The American Heart Association (AHA) believes that as many as 100,000 deaths could be prevented each year through the widespread deployment of defibrillators. Patients who survive Sudden Cardiac Arrest have an excellent long-term prognosis -- 57 percent of the survivors live five years or longer.

Do I need an AED in my Workplace, Church or School?

The implementation of Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) programs in these areas would put automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in locations where trained responders could use them to quickly treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest. AEDs are now approved for use on children and many AED manufacturers are producing pediatric pads that will deliver shocks more appropriate for their small size.

On March 19th, 2002, company first responders at NCR in West Columbia successfully resuscitated an employee with CPR and Early Defibrillation.

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We already have an AED. Is there anything we need to do?

If your Business, Church or School has an AED or has used an AED, please contact us at 803-785-8683 or email mhildebrand@lex-co.com to ensure that it is registered with us.

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Who do I need to talk to about setting up PAD?

Organizations such as The National Safety Council, the Red Cross or the American Heart Association will provide assistance and training.