AED Pads + Considerations | Key Factors for Effective Use
Hey, guys, thanks for popping in! Today we want to talk about some special considerations with AED pads, so here we go...
Things to consider...
1. Moisture: Anytime the chest is wet (sweaty, near or in water etc.) we have to dry the chest quickly and place those pads in what we call the anterior-lateral position, that's the upper right and the lower left (for adults older than 8 years old or heavier than 55 pounds). And the anterior-posterior position for infants and children (under 8 years old or less than 55 pounds).
2. Metal: So when we say metal, we want to talk about direct contact, so that's where the pad gets placed itself. In other words, assuming there's no metal exposed where the pads are placed, we're good. Somebody wearing a watch, a ring, earrings, they're okay. Neclaces and undergarmets should be removed as to not impact pad placement and avoid contact with AED pads.
3. Medicine Patches: Sometimes we have medicine patches on the upper right side, in which we would just peel those off, wipe the chest quickly, place the pad.
4. Implantable Devices: ICDs and pacemakers or implantable devices. Usually, it looks like a visible lump about the size of a deck of cards, could be right under the skin here. Oftentimes you'll see this on the left side, whether it be on the side near the armpit or in the chest. Sometimes they are on the right side as well. So if that's the case, we can still use AED pads in those situations. We just want to slightly move that pad a little bit to the right of where that actual implantable device is and not go directly over the top of it.
5. Breast Tissue: The other one is a larger breast for both biological men and women, someone who is pregnant or with anatomically larger breast size. We want to avoid breast tissue, so with that said, you may have to push up or down out of the way in order to get proper pad placement.
6. Weather Considerations: The word "submersion" is key when using an AED. Someone who is submerged in water would need to be removed, as this is an unsafe scene. However, AEDs can be used in outside elements like rain and snow. Do your best to keep the chest as dry as possible and be sure to move someone laying in puddled water (a wet surface is okay, as long as the person is not submerged in water).
