Q: If someone is having a heart attack in a public place, I heard I could use an AED to help save their life? What is an AED and where can I find one?

Ask Our Expert About Using a Defibrillator

• If someone is having a heart attack in a public place, I heard I could use an AED to help save their life? What is an AED and where can I find one?
  
• Is it important for people to be trained to use an AED?
  
• Can I still use an AED if I’m not trained?
  
• If someone collapses and is unconscious, which should be used, CPR or an AED?
  
• Where can I learn CPR?
  

Q: If someone is having a heart attack in a public place, I heard I could use an AED to help save their life? What is an AED and where can I find one?

AED stands for automated external defibrillator. AEDs are able to deliver an electrical shock to the heart to try to “restart” it and hopefully allow the heart to begin to beat again in a normal fashion. These devices are very user friendly and can often be found in public facilities like Lehigh Valley Hospital and the Lehigh Valley Mall, and municipal buildings like the Lower Macungie Township and Hanover Township buildings.

Q: Is it important for people to be trained to use an AED?

Ideally, everyone should be trained in CPR and the use of an AED. However, the AED manufacturers make these devices so they can be used by almost anyone, even those without any formal training.

Q: Can I still use an AED if I’m not trained?

As recommended, everyone should have some type of training. But those without AED training should not be afraid to use one. The AED’s include visual aids as well as voice prompts that tell the operator what to do making it a simple device to use.

Q: If someone collapses and is unconscious, which should be used, CPR or an AED?

Both CPR (if you are trained) and the use of an AED (if available) should be implemented. If it is an adult that collapses, the emergency response system should be activated immediately by calling 911. If an AED is not readily available, CPR should be started. As soon as an AED is available it should be used. For a child, the AHA recommends two minutes of CPR before calling 911 or using an AED.

Q: Where can I learn CPR?

Lehigh Valley Hospital provides American Heart Association CPR training through the Emergency Medicine Institute (EMI). Call 610-402-CARE for information or visit EMI’s web site at www.emi-lvh.com.

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