Can Someone With a Pacemaker Use an AED?
When someone has a pacemaker or an implantable cardiovertibal defibrillator (ICD), you may wonder if they can be used with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). AEDs can help increase survival rates for patients in sudden cardiac arrest, but they can also interfere with pacemakers.
A pacemaker is a small, round disk that is placed under the skin of the chest, usually on the left side. It sends low electrical impulses to the heart. Pacemakers are designed to withstand shocks from an AED.
Defibrillators work similarly to pacemakers. They deliver an electrical shock to the heart, which restores it to a normal rhythm. If you're going to use an AED on a patient with a pacemaker, there are a few steps you need to take.
First, you need to know how to position the AED pads. The pads should be about one inch away from the pacemaker. Also, they should be placed on the high right and low left sides of the victim's chest. You need to make sure the pads are not placed over the pacemaker, as this could cause it to malfunction.
Next, you need to connect the AED device. Be sure to read the owner's manual carefully.
Finally, when using the AED, you should not touch the person during the defibrillation shock. This helps the device detect the heart rhythm.
While the rules for CPR are the same for people with pacemakers, you need to check the settings on the AED before you begin. This will ensure the current doesn't damage the pacemaker.
