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Why AEDs Matter for Scuba Divers
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that 'automatically' diagnoses potentially life threatening cardiac rhythms.
Hence, an AED is used to treat patients through a process of 'defibrillation', otherwise known as the application of electrical therapy.
I'm a Scuba Diver: Tell Me More about AEDs
Scuba divers often dive in remote diving locations. They also face some increased risks of cardiac incidents, such as from:
- Decompression illness
- Near-drowning
- Related emergency situations
Thus, it's important for divers to learn more about Automated External Defibrillators and understand how they work.
According to the Divers Alert Network (DAN) the average age for scuba diving fatalities is gradually increasing (currently around 54 years old).
So, What Exactly is an Automated External Defibrillator?
An AED is a portable device that checks for a normal or abnormal heart rhythm. If it detects an abnormal rhythm, it can send an electric shock to the heart to try and restore a normal rhythm.
By and large, they are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). This is a condition where the heart suddenly, and unexpectedly, stops beating.
AED defibrillators can cease arrhythmia and allow an irregular heart beat to reestablish an effective blood-pumping rhythm.
Why are AEDs Important in Scuba Diving?
- Scuba divers often go diving at isolated dive sites. Thus, any delay in the activation of emergency services makes having an AED on-site, or not too far away, a vital part of dive planning.
- Divers also face the potential of having certain types of post-dive risks. For example, exertive scuba diving can trigger cardiac events after the dives, especially in older or at-risk divers.
- The risk of drowning and hypoxia is greater for some divers, especially beginners and poor swimmers. In fact, near-drowning (also called non-fatal drowning) can also lead to cardiac arrest. Thus, an AED may be able to restart the heart if it's used quickly and appropriately.
How to Use an AED?
1. After you turn on the AED, the voice prompts will guide you and provide further instruction for use.
2. Apply the special adhesive pads in the correct position by exposing the patient's chest and placing them as shown (upper right and lower left of the torso).
3. The AED will automatically assess the patient's heart rhythm and determine whether a shock is needed - or not!
4. If needed, the machine will advise you to deliver a shock to the patient.
In this case, stay clear of the patient and press the "SHOCK" button if prompted to do so.
5. Follow any further AED instructions and continue delivering chest compressions (CPR) is necessary until help arrives or the person recovers.
Special AED Considerations for Scuba Divers
Remember, water safety is one of the key factors when using an Automated External Defibrillator on anyone with scuba diving injuries.
So, remove the diver from the water and make sure their chest is thoroughly dry before you apply AED pads. It's usually better to start CPR immediately if you cannot detect a pulse, and then use an AED as soon as it becomes available.
Even though AEDs can still be used in cases of hypothermia, the results and outcomes vary. But, you should not delay defibrillation even while you're trying to warm the victim.
AED Training and International Certifications
Heart disease is a common problem that divers should not ignore. It is important to prepare for every emergency because scuba diving vacations are often taken in remote locations that may be some distance from emergency medical assistance.
AEDs are designed to be simple and easy to use, especially by laypersons. Most CPR and First Aid courses or basic life support (BLS) courses teach layperson responders how to use an automated external defibrillator, including:
- PADI Emergency First Response (EFR)
- Red Cross (American Heart Association AED training)
- DAN (Divers Alert Network) CPR & AED courses
Pro Tip: Even though they are an expensive item (around $3,000), some of the most reputable scuba operators keep an AED on their dive boat or at the training school.