The Defibrillator
The Science Behind It
How It Works
The defibrillator was created for one purpose. To save the lives of those who suffer from heart failure. The defibrillator is comprised of insulated handles to protect the operator and metal plates to deliver a large electric shock. The paddles themselves are connected to a high voltage power supply which delivers a strong static charge to one of the paddles. When applied to the victims chest the shock travels from the charged paddle through the victims chest then to the other paddle. During this process the victim's heart receives a large electric shock restarting the heart, saving the victim.
Variations
AED
ICD
The second variation is the Internal Cardioverter Defibrillator which is a small implantable computer that monitors your heart rhythm. If the computer detects an irregular heart beat then a small charge will be sent to your heart to correct the rhythm. If the heart does not revert back to normal a stronger charge will be sent and can be painful. Having an ICD reduces the risks of having a heart failure but comes with a different set of risks all together. A few risks are an unwanted electrical shock or damage to nerves, blood vessels, and your heart. The longer you have an ICD the greater the risks become.
How To Operate The AED
Online Training Video Sample