Introduction; The Sam 500P; Sudden Cardiac Arrest (Sca); Ventricular Fibrillation - HeartSine samaritan PAD SAM 500P User Manual

Introduction

The SAM 500P

The SAM 500P is a semi-automatic
external defibrillator designed to quickly
deliver a defibrillation shock to victims of

sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

The SAM 500P is designed to operate
in accordance with the joint European
Resuscitation Council (ERC) and
American Heart Association (AHA)
2010 guidelines on Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency
Cardiovascular Care (ECC).
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)
Sudden cardiac arrest is a condition in
which the heart suddenly stops pumping
effectively due to a malfunction of the
heart's electrical system. Often victims
of SCA have no prior warning signs
or symptoms. SCA can also occur in
people with previously diagnosed heart
conditions. Survival from SCA depends on
immediate and effective cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR).
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The use of an external defibrillator within
the first few minutes of collapse can
greatly improve patient's chances of
survival. Heart attack and SCA are not
the same, though sometimes a heart
attack can lead to an SCA. If you are
experiencing symptoms of a heart attack
(chest pain, pressure, shortness of breath,
tight feeling in the chest or elsewhere
in the body), seek emergency medical
attention immediately.

Ventricular fibrillation

The normal electrical rhythm by which the
heart muscle contracts to create blood
flow around the body is known as normal
sinus rhythm (NSR). Ventricular fibrillation
(VF), caused by chaotic electrical signals
in the heart, is often the cause of SCA.
In victims of SCA it is possible to re-
establish normal sinus rhythm by means
of an electric shock across the heart. This
treatment is called defibrillation.