The incidence of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) among youth continues to increase at an alarming rate. The American Heart Association (AHA) reported in 2015 that there are about 6,328 cases of emergency medical services (EMS)-assessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests that occur annually among individuals aged 18 in the United States. The report further stated that earlier intervention in such cases is key to increase the victim’s chances of survival. As prevention is better than cure, it is high time for schools to invest in automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to prevent any SCA casualty among their students.

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation defines SCA as “the cessation of cardiac mechanical activity, as confirmed by the absence of signs of circulation.” It is caused by ventricular fibrillation, which is an abnormality in the heart’s electrical system. What happens when SCA occurs is that the blood stops flowing to the brain, the heart, as well as the rest of the body, which renders the victim unconscious. Technically speaking, the person is clinically dead when this happens until someone steps in to give immediate medical aid.

SCA is different from a heart attack in the sense that when a person suffers from a heart attack, only a part of the heart’s blood supply is reduced or blocked. A person suffering from a heart attack is literally awake or conscious, whereas a victim suffering from SCA is completely unconscious. A heart attack can actually lead to SCA if not treated immediately.

How AEDs Help Prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest

The AHA as well as the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation have been advocating the use of AEDs in SCA cases. Ventricular fibrillation can be reversed by delivering the shock using a defibrillator. An automated external defibrillator is designed specifically for this purpose, so that the shock can be administered by anyone before an EMS personnel arrives.

AEDs should be considered, especially since most schools cannot afford to have an emergency medical technician on school premises. An easy-to-use AED can help provide life-saving defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Schools with athletic programs, in particular, should invest in one as part of their emergency response plans.