Preparing for the unexpected at sea is a key part of any ship’s safety schedule – and when sudden cardiac arrest (or SCA) occurs, a swift and effective response is crucial. On-board marine AEDs have significantly increased the survival rate of SCA sufferers in a number of environments including trains and planes – so it’s easy to see the need for this specialist equipment to ensure the continued safety of crew members and passengers whilst catering to the specific set of challenges faced at sea.  

Here we take a look at why this marvellous medical apparatus should be an established essential on board all sea-going vessels.

WHAT IS AN AED?

An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is an electronic resuscitative device which analyses heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock to restore normal heart function swiftly and safely.

Cardiac arrest often occurs suddenly and without warning – sometimes unexpectedly due to underlying heart conditions, severe stress or ongoing illness. The development and use of AEDs has revolutionised heart safety on board sea-going vessels, making travel and employment at sea far safer for those with heart conditions.

ARE ALL AEDS SAFE TO USE IN A MARINE ENVIRONMENT?

Yes – all AEDs are technically safe to use in environments where water is present, but there are some important benefits attached to choosing our specialist model Lifeforce AED, such as:

*Portable – easily stored, weighs just 1.9kg with carry handle for easy transportation when needed

*Durable – designed to withstand the elements and daily wear and tear on board sea-going vessels 

*The fastest acting defibrillator on the market – operational in just 3 minutes

*Proven to be the world’s simplest AED – it can easily and efficiently be used by absolutely anybody on board to save a life.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING AN AED IN A MARINE ENVIRONMENT?

Our Lifeforce AED is one of the leading and most widely trusted models on the market, specifically designed for use in a marine environment.

Some key benefits of using Lifeforce AED at sea include:

Rapid, reliable support in emergency situations:

The key advantage of Lifeforce AED is its ease of operation for everyone on board and its capacity to be employed quickly in a situation where time is of the essence. An AED can be retrieved and used within minutes of identifying SCA – a situation where every second counts. It’s versatile, too – although cardiac arrest is more common in adults with previously diagnosed heart conditions, Lifeforce AED is suitable for use on ages ____ and above.

Of course, an AED is not a substitute for trained medical staff and first aiders, who are best placed to offer specialised care alongside this equipment.

Easy to use for all crew members:

A significant aspect of the lifesaving power of AEDs is that they can be used by absolutely anyone – even a child – with no prior medical training needed. Lifeforce AEDs come with fully automatic operation and won’t administer a shock if it isn’t needed, so any crew member or passenger can safely and efficiently employ them confidently when required.

Time is of the essence when cardiac arrest occurs – 90-95% of victims of SCA will die if defibrillation isn’t administered to the heart within the first few minutes of arrest – and for every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation, chances of survival decrease by 7-10% (Source: American Heart Association). If your nominated first aider or medically trained crew are not immediately available when a crew member or passenger falls ill, a rapid response from those around them is paramount. On large vessels, a first-aider or doctor may be several minutes away in a situation where every single second counts – so an AED is likely to be closer than the nearest medically trained crew member.

It is recommended that the number of AEDs is proportionate to the size of vessel – having at least two on board at all times.

High survival rates:

Compared with manual compressions, AEDs have a very high success rate when it comes to revival and subsequent survival post-cardiac arrest. According to The American Heart Association AEDs increase cardiac arrest survival rate from around 8% for CPR alone to 40% with defibrillation.

Independently powered for complete peace of mind:

It’s important to be fully prepared for anything on board a sea-going vessel. Lifeforce AEDs are battery operated – so there’s no need to worry about power supply both when choosing locations, or in an emergency situation where a power cut or supply issue has occurred.

Suitable for any environment:

Whether you operate commercial, passenger or merchant sea-going vessels, Lifeforce AEDs can play a significant role in bringing down SCA-related death rates at sea. 20% of SCA events occur in a public place – so an AED is essential in any environment of this kind. This advanced non-professional device is also non-negotiable where making your fleet heart-safe is a key priority.

Looking to install AEDs or replace and update your current models? Reliable and cost-effective, AEDs can be purchased or rented depending on your requirements. Speak to us today to learn more about Lifeforce AED.