Cardiac Arrest, Diagnosis, and the Life-Saving Role of AEDs

Imagine a student suddenly collapsing in a classroom. Or a performer falling mid-act during a live event. These are not rare, freak accidents—they are often the result of a sudden cardiac arrest, and tragically, most of them are preventable deaths.

In such moments, knowledge and quick action are everything.

💔 Understanding Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. It is an electrical failure in the heart, causing it to stop pumping blood suddenly and without warning. Unlike a heart attack, there is usually no time for symptoms—just collapse, unconsciousness, and no pulse.

Without immediate help, brain damage begins within 4–6 minutes and death follows shortly after.

⚡ What Can Save a Life? The AED

The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a simple, portable, and powerful device that can restart the heart.

• The AED works by delivering an electric shock to restore a normal rhythm.
  

• It guides you with voice and visual prompts, so even non-medical people can use it effectively.
  

• The electrodes are placed correctly on the bare chest, usually one below the right collarbone and the other on the left side below the chest.
  

Using an AED within the first 3 minutes can triple the chances of survival.

🏬 AEDs Must Be Everywhere

The sad truth is that most public places in India still don’t have AEDs installed, and the public remains largely unaware of how to use them.

It's time to change that.

✅ All malls, cinemas, offices, colleges, airports, and railway stations must have easily accessible AED units.
✅ Staff and the general public should be trained to use them as part of basic emergency preparedness.

📢 The Need of the Hour

Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Making AEDs more available and training ordinary citizens to use them could save thousands of lives every year.

🧡 From the Heart of Sahayta Trust

Sahayta Trust believes in action through awareness. By advocating for widespread AED deployment and training, we aim to make every citizen a potential lifesaver.

Please share this message. Help us build a safer, stronger, more prepared society.