Anyone know much about these ? They want to install one where I live, but I don't see the advantage - would love to hear your views ...
I was a paramedic for twenty years so yeah, I am familiar with them. When I was working, we used the manual ones, with the paddles, but EMS is now using automatic defibrillators too. The advantages can be huge, as the automatic defibrillators are designed to not shock anyone unless they have a cardiac rhythm that is shockable, and defibrillation can convert a deadly heart rhythm into normal sinus rhythm, in some cases, or to one that at least produces a pulse, and the quicker that can be done, the better the chances of a favorable outcome. The few minutes that it might take for the paramedics to arrive might be a few minutes too late. Once the heart stops, the damage begins, so even if EMS is able to convert the heart rhythm to one with a pulse, permanent brain and heart damage may have occurred.
@Ken Anderson This is very good information for people to know. Since you have a lot of knowledge in the emergency health field, you should think about having a whole serious thread on 'what to do before the paramedics arrive'. It may save lots of lives. @Patsy Faye Our synagogue has one....just in case. They aren't real expensive, and as Ken said, could keep a person alive until medical help arrives. They would have to train people on how to use it so no one panics.
We had them on every floor of the building where I used to work. I often wondered if anyone knew how to use them.
There are several types but the automatic defibrillators, of the sort that would be mounted in public places, are designed to be very simple.
Being a nurse, I find that this is a terrific idea. Most have easy to follow instructions on their usage and I am all for having them out there in the public.
Thanks everyone The thing that concerns me is as Ken suggested, is the time element - I would say it would take at least 10 minutes for 'someone' here to mobilise and get the thing to the patient. Its expensive to hire this with a weekly payment and I fear its money wasted