ROCKY HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE

USE OF AED PORTABLE DEFIBRILLATOR

Purpose: To establish a structured guideline for prompt defibrillation of patients who are in cardiac arrest.

Scope: Applicable for all department members who have been certified in the use of the LifePak 500 AED.

This procedure is not to be performed on:

• Patients Less then 8 years of age.
• Patients less then 80 lbs.
• Patients on or touching metal objects.
• Patients in water or on a wet surface.
• Devastating Trauma

Procedure: Upon determining that the patient is cardiac arrest the following should be followed:

· Notify and verify EMS response.

· If CPR is being performed, stop CPR.

· Turn on defibrillator and apply pads to patient’s chest.

· Clear patient from head to toe and initiate analysis of rhythm.

· If “shock” is indicated, verify that the patient is clear and firefighters are clear by yelling, “stand clear”. The AED will deliver a series of 3 shocks.

· Deliver shock by pressing “shock” control. Energy settings are preprogrammed.

· The AED will continue to assess and if prompted re-deliver “shock”.

· Carotid pulse checks shall be performed after each series of shocks.

· Perform CPR between shocks as directed by AED.

· If rhythm is established by shocking verify presence of pulse and respirations, if none continue CPR.

· Continue to analyze patient with AED at intervals of 1 minute until patient is turned over to EMS.

· If patient has respirations/pulse, roll on side and continue to monitor.

Date: 08-06

Proponent: RHFD Staff

Replaces: existing