The Critical Importance of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) | Wellbeing

Cardiac arrest is an indiscriminate killer that can strike anyone at any time. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is currently the leading cause of death globally. In Vietnam alone, the total number of fatalities caused by SCA exceeds the combined death toll of lung cancer and traffic accidents. Even more alarmingly, this condition frequently strikes otherwise healthy individuals. in these critical moments, the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) a device that delivers a controlled electric shock to the heart is the singular solution capable of resetting a chaotic heart rhythm back to a normal state.

The Race Against Time: The 10-Minute Window

A victim of cardiac arrest is locked in a desperate race against time, possessing a survival window of less than 10 minutes. If a shock is delivered within the first 3 minutes, the chance of survival skyrockets to 80%. However, after this "golden" three-minute mark, the risk of permanent brain damage or a persistent vegetative state increases drastically, as the human brain ceases to function after just four minutes without oxygenated blood.

An AED is essential when the heart's electrical system malfunctions, preventing it from pumping blood to the brain and vital organs. While there are over 100 causes of cardiac arrest ranging from electric shock, drowning, and suffocation to drug overdose or underlying cardiovascular disease the response remains the same. In Vietnam, where the average ambulance response time ranges from 20 to 30 minutes, relying solely on emergency services is often too late. The first 10 minutes are the line between life and death; for every minute that passes without intervention, the victim's chance of survival plummets by 7% to 10%.

An "Electronic Doctor" for Everyone

The AED is a compact medical device designed to empower individuals with absolutely no medical expertise to save lives. Acting like a doctor at the scene, the machine automatically analyzes the victim's heart rhythm to determine if a shock is necessary and, if so, instructs the user to deliver it. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), we can identify cardiac arrest by two simultaneous signs: the victim is UNCONSCIOUS and NOT BREATHING. Without immediate intervention within minutes, this condition will rapidly lead to death.