In these uncertain days, when more and more Americans are suffering from cardiac problems, AED Defibrillators can save a life. Sudden cardiac arrest is currently one of the leading causes of premature death in the United States, nearly a quarter of a million people die from it every year. It outranks breast and prostate cancer, fires, hand guns, automobile accidents and AIDS, to name but a few.

In the normal course of its life, the heart receives a regular series of tiny electrical impulses, which keep it beating at a steady, regular pattern, so that it can pump oxygen-rich blood through the body. And, as the poet says: "Every beat separates a man from eternity." But, every once in a while, due to any number of medical reasons, the electrical signal can get scrambled. As a result, the heart is rendered unable to contract. It’s a condition called: ventricular fibrillation. Decades ago, medical researchers discovered that the best way to "jump start" the heart and get its normal rhythm – defibrillation – restored was with a mild electrical jolt delivered right to the surface of the organ. Of course, that’s not always possible. More often than not, some sort of external defibrillator must be used.

Hospitals are well-known for having the finest in external defibrillation equipment. Everyone has seen those episodes of "St. Elsewhere" and "E/R" where the doctor grabs the paddles and shouts: "Clear!" And, nearly every ambulance in America comes equipped with a miniature version of the same device. But, unfortunately, people generally do not conveniently have a heart attack near a hospital or EMT station. As the minutes tick by, a patient’s chance of living drops ten percent for each of those precious minutes. That’s where the automated external defibrillator comes into play. These days, the devices can be found in schools, churches, offices, amusement parks, gyms, restaurants and all manner of private and public places.

AED defibrillators exactly mimic the types used in hospitals, but in a manner that allows any layperson to operate it. Usually, the machine has voice-prompts to guide the user in activating it. First, the backings from the two electrodes are peeled off, and then one electrode is placed over the sternum, against the bare skin. Next, the second goes (also on the bare skin) just a little to the left of the first one. The device then analyzes the patient’s heart in order to determine if, in fact, they are having a heart attack. Once that’s established, it delivers an electric shock to try and re-establish a normal heart rhythm. And, just like in those hospital television shows, everyone needs to stand well away from the person when the shock is applied. If properly used, these devices have the potential to save thousands of people each year.