CPR Defibrillators Info
The How to of Defibrillators
Archive for the ‘Automated External Defibrillator’ Category
Paul Smith’s College, located in the Andirondacks of upper New York state, received a donation of an automated external defibrillator(AED) from Excellus Blue Cross and Blue Shield. This is part of a program to get AEDs throughout the 11 county area serviced by Excellus BCBS.
The colleges sports Area is being renovated with a climbing wall, salt water pool, fitness center,and a 3,000 seat gymnasium. It is a wellness center for the college students and the community.
The defibrillator donated is a Philips Heartstart Defibrillator that retails for $2500. The defibrillator is fully automated with audio voice prompts to assist with the device’s operation. If a pulse is detected the device will not shock the victim.
With an analytical defibrillator which assess the problem of an SCA victim and a quality renovation project I’d say that their health program is off to a great start. GO Paul Smith’s College!!!!!
add comment | 0 Comments
I think automated external defibrillators are pretty well covered so I want to tell an unusual story about an internal defibrillator. You probably know internal defibrillators are implanted into the chest and are connected by an electrical wire which is connected to the heart muscle. If the person has a slower than normal heart rate then the defibrillator gives a slight jolt to stimulate the heart to pick up the pace and increase the heartrate. If the person has other types of heart irregularities the shock can still be given to reset the rhythm automatically.
Bet you didn’t know that the defibrillator is placed under the skin and is elevated so that it looks like a circular raised mound around 2-3 inches in diameter. Very noticable.
My story is true and involves a 61 year old, an implanted defibrillator, and a bullet. Figured it out? A Florida man was saved by a defibrillator only he wasn’t an SCA (sudden cardiac arrest) victim. He was shot in the chest and the bullet lodged in his “pocketwatch” device. I have no info on the who or why of this story. His organs( heart and lungs) were protected from major damage.
How’s that for getting your money’s worth? Or do you think his shooter was aiming at a bulls eye ? I’d say he had an angel on his shoulder wouldn’t you?
What is V-Tach? An arrhythmia called ventricular tachycardia, which starts in the ventricles of your heart. It causes an increased pulse rate of 100 beats per minute or more and is very dangerous is left untreated.
This condition can occur before or after a heart attack. It can occur in people with heart problems,such as heart valve disorders,myocarditis (inflamation of the heart muscle),heart failure, or heart surgery.
It can be caused by anti-arrhythmic medications,changes in blood chemistry (low potassium levels),changes in the acid-base balance,or lack of oxygen.
Symptoms are fainting, chest discomfort, dizziness, palpitations(sensation of feeling the heart beat), and shortness of breath. Symptoms may stop or start suddenly and in some cases there are no symptoms.
This is a major cause of cardiac death. Signs include: absent pulse,loss of consciousness,normal or low blood pressure, and rapid pulse.
Treatment is based on symptoms and type of heart disorder.Some people don’t require treatment. Those with emergency situations may require CPR(cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) or cardiac defibrillation to convert the irregular heart rhythm. A cardiac defibrillator will produce a shock to the victim to restart the heart and put it in normal sinus rhythm.
Anti- arrhythmic drugs can be prescribed for treatment long term, a proceedure called ablation can be performed to obliterate abnormal pathways in the heart which cause this, or an internal cardioverter/defibrillator can be implanted in the heart to give mild shocks automatically when V-tach occurs in order to stop it.
The 
Philips FRx defibrillator has this neat little option to turn an adult defibrillator into a pediatric one. This automated external defibrillator just needs an infant/child key placed in the FRx and the power will be reduced for a pediatric victim.
The key can be used over and over again. It is a $98 accessory. Cost effectiveness is seen in the fact that you don’t even have to replace the pads for pediatric ones because the Heart Smart Pads II defibrillation electrode pads are used for all emergencies. Other defibrillators need to have the adult pads replaced with pediatric ones before use on a child.
The Philips AED pads offer a unique characteristic with money saving quality.
Johnson City holds a shootout annually to raise money for on-field defibrillators. It is in honor of John Mack, a former Birmingham High School student who cardiac arrested during a Lacrosse game after being struck in the chest by a ball. It took 19 minutes for him to be revived but he was already brain dead and died several days later. The event has purchased 30 defibrillators since its’ beginning. This year 32 teams are joining, one from as far away as St.Louis. It is a 2 day event with free admission. An admirable cause.
Automatic external defibrillators are synonymous with the “be prepared” slogan. Our citizens’ lives are precious and their safety is imperative . They all have something to share. John Donne says it best, ” ….any man’s death diminishes me, Because I am involved in Mankind.
Defibtech Auto , the latest design from Defibtech defibrillators, takes the stress away from responders reluctant to puch the shock button. 
The defibrillator does it for you…if you need it. They have just sent their first shipment to Europe. DefibFrance is the first distributor to add the Defibtech Auto to their product line. Other European distributors will soon be getting this defibrillator themselves.
Imagine, a self analyzing defibrillator that automaticall sends a shock to the victim. All we have to do is place the device on the victim.
Hooray for the Floyd County Police Department! They received 68 automated external defibrillators from an HRSA grant worth $144,000 from the Georgia Department of Community Health in Rome. Redmond Regional Medical Center EMS employees provided training in Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation to all the officers.
The goal is to cut response time of defibrillation in a cardiac arrest and prevent brain damage by getting oxygen to the brain quicker. Police are sometimes the first responders.The EMS Centers, Floyd and Redmond, will be giving the public educational seminars on the early warning signs of heart attacks and strokes during February.
A 63 year old man collapsed on a Chicago Metra train on October 9th 2009. Two nurses rushed to his aid with the train crew. CPR was initiated but was unsuccessful. Paramedics met the train at the station and failed to resuscitate him and he died.
It was found that the Chicago Metra Trains do not carry defibrillators on them. Buses (CTA) of Chicago also have no defibrillators on board in case of a cardiac arrest. What is a life worth? A $2000 or $3000 investment could save a life. An automated external deffibrillator to jump start a heart that has shut down could make all the difference in a second chance for someone……..maybe even you!!!
Arizona lawmakers introduced a bill to exempt good samaritans from civil liability if they use an automated external defibrillator. Senator Andy Nichols D-Tucson died of a cardiac arrest in 2001 in the Senate building. Defibrillators then became installed in the Senate building to prevent more sudden cardiac arrests. The defibrillators are easy to use with verbal instructions. They provide a shock to those in a cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association study says over 500 persons have had their lives saved in the United States and Canada with an AED. Arizona law exempts medical professionals and those trained on an AED from liability.
Cardiovascular patients are increasing due to the logevity of our generation. Cardiac risk factors are increasing also.Obesity, high blood pressure,diabetes,and thrombosis are some of the most important risk factors we have to deal with. Sudden cardiac events will increase and automated external defibrillators(AED) will be vital devices for our personal safety.
This doesn’t just apply to the eastern markets but to the western cultures also. Defibrillators are becoming very important to the lay person’s knowledge in saving a life. They are easy to use, give verbal and text instructions ;some even show a video at the same time. Don’t be afraid to use one; if a defibrillation is not necessary….it will tell you!