Jargon Buster
Welcome to our Defibrillator Jargon Buster, a simple, no-nonsense guide to help you understand the terms and phrases you might come across when learning about defibrillators and heart health. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, workplace safety officer, a concerned parent, or simply a first-time buyer seeking to make an informed purchase, this glossary is here to take the confusion out of technical talk.
What is Fibrillation?
Fibrillation is the common cause of cardiac arrest. The rapid and uncoordinated rhythm of a heart beat categorised as either atrial fibrillation or ventricular fibrillation. Irregular electrical pulses from the pulmonary veins in the heart deregulate the hearts natural rhythm.
What is Flutter?
Like palpitations, a flutter is a state in which the hearts rhythm increase significantly, sometimes beating up to 300 times per minute and is also known as atrial flutter. Atrial flutters often evolve into fibrillation.
What is A Fully Automatic AED / Defib?
A Fully Automatic AED is a type of defib unit that is more suited to lay persons, an automatic AED will effectively guide a user through treating the patient before the emergency services arrive, diagnosing the patient’s heart rhythm and delivering the shock automatically.