To obtain automated external defibrillator (AED) certification, you must first complete a training course, after which you must pass a written, practical, or both evaluations. Classes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults and children, first aid classes, and online courses in AED operation are among the training courses that lead to AED certification. Before enrolling in an AED training program, think about why you want to get certified. If you need certification to meet a company requirement or as a prerequisite for basic life support (BLS) training, make sure the course you take will result in a certification that will be accepted your employer or higher level medical training program. An AED certification that you can print after taking an online test is usually insufficient for entry into higher-level medical training programs.
Attending classes in person or online to receive instruction in the purpose, use, and maintenance of both fully automated and semi-automated AEDs is typical of completing a class or course leading to AED certification. The semi-automated version, on the other hand, requires the operator to press a button to deliver a shock if a shockable rhythm is detected. If a shock is indicated, the fully automated version will deliver it for you. AED certification holders should also be aware of the importance of maintaining the equipment and keeping the batteries charged.
When and how to use an AED, as well as when its use is contraindicated, are among the things you can expect to learn and practice during your AED certification training. You should be taught how to use an AED on an adult, a child, and victims with surgically implanted cardiac devices like pacemakers or nitroglycerin patches. Expect to get hands-on practice with adult and child dummies, as well as a practice AED, unless you’re taking an online course. You should also be exposed to a real AED during the course.
Because this is the normal course of action for a victim in cardiac arrest, people with AED certification should also know how to coordinate defibrillation with CPR. It’s critical to know when to start CPR first and when to use an AED first. This is why your course should include at least the fundamentals of the heart’s mechanical and electrical systems. You’d have a basic understanding of shockable and non-shockable rhythms at that point.