ZOLL 1600 Defibrillator

A defibrillator is an electronic apparatus used to counteract atrial or ventricular fibrillation by the application of brief electroshock to the heart, either directly or through electrodes placed on the chest wall.The importance of attempting to provide all links of the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) "Chain of Survival" to victims of sudden cardiac arrest cannot be stressed enough. Each link in the chain: Access to 911, bystander CPR, rapid defibrillation, prompt ACLS, all equate to increased survival rates for victims of sudden cardiac arrest, especially when delivered as a collective sequential package.With the creation of comprehensive EMS systems capable of delivering higher levels of medical care outside of the hospital environment, the ability to have an impact on treating cardiac disease has become apparent. Perhaps the most noticeable impact can be seen in the area of treating sudden cardiac arrest using defibrillation. Communities have demonstrated increased survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims, using defibrillation in combination with quick access to EMS and early bystander CPR.Survival rates beginning in the range of 20 per cent have been reported for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims who received immediate bystander CPR, followed by rapid defibrillation within eight minutes following collapse.