CPR Defibrillators Info
The How to of Defibrillators
Archive for the ‘automatic external defibrillators’ Category
Did you ever wonder how many things in the world are good and bad at the same time? Flowers, can be beautiful, fragrant, or uplifting the spirits, can also produce deadly toxins or lifesaving medications. Cars protect and take us to our destinations however, in certain circumstances, such as speeding or in inclement weather can kill us. Electricity can kill with high voltage by unprotected wires. It can also save lives with voltage through an AED (automated external defibrillator).
Many things are good and bad for us. AEDs have to be one of the most successful devices ever invented. They can bring us back from death if used quickly after a cardiac arrest. Time is a big factor in our survival. Not all defibrillations are successful and I attibute that to the individual’s previous health status. A failing heart might not be able to be “ jump started” but an irregular beat or a temporary cessation might be reactivated!
Our bodies also run on electrical charges. They tell our heart, which is divided into four chambers, when to beat. This is the positive force working for us. Damaged hearts could run down like a battery and fail to recharge.
Your body is a unique entity. It works with checks and balances , a pump, and a central nervous system. Take care of it and it will take care of you!
add comment | 0 Comments
Remember the movie Frankenstein? How he was brought to life by electricity? Well the past theory is now proven fact. The movie did have flaws but you get the picture. A cardiac arrest victim can be revived by an electrical shock if it is done quicky after an arrest and if medically the patient’s heart co-operates. Not all defibrillations are successful but more are than not.
Fifty years ago defibrillation was introduced in hospitals and doctors offices.As time went by Paramedics and EMTs were allowed to perform defibrillation with automated external defibrillators(AEDs). Now defibrillators are in homes for the possiblity of cardiac events occurring. Trained rescuers and samaritans may provide defibrillation in emergencies. Technology has come a long way. Hands on Cardiopulmpnary Resuscitation (CPR) can be taught by the defibrillator with audio instructions ( and most of them do have it). Fear is taken away by the calm voice talking you through the steps of CPR and defibrillation. Amazing how advanced we have become and how an idea from the past has become a reality.
Donations to various organizations like: cancer research, march of dimes, salvation army and other worthwhile causes are wonderful and tax writeoffs, but do we know how our money is spent? Is it to the management or to the cause itself? Wouldn’t you like to donate a medical device to a school, town, or business and know that it will be used to save a life?
I have donated my share to many causes and now am retired on a fixed income. The pleas from many many hospitals,causes, and civic organizations overwhelm me and even if I was a millionaire I could not fund them all. Therefore I am resolved to make a difference in my town and collect money to maintain a high quality EMS system.
First I will assess the needs and where they are….public buildings with lots of access of individuals or groups, banks, schools, school functions or senior centers. Next, try to get public support since nickels and dimes add up to dollars and Automated External Defibrillators ( AEDs) are not cheap.
The important thing is that if an AED gets used it gives a person a second chance at life and in a small way I will have had an opportunity to have helped along with other townspeople.
To me this is a worthwhile goal.
Zoll Corporation has landed a major contract from the United Kingdom. It has been picked as the supplier of automated external defibrillators for BHF ( the British Heart Foundation).
Zoll has now become a leader in the international market for medical devices. The UK has over 200,000 deaths per year due to SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest). Early defibrillation increases reversal by 50%. Zoll is expected to really make a difference to British subjects.
Zoll’s growth is due to their innovation of many various products and superior technology. Their competition is Cardiac Science Corporation, HeartSine Technologies, and Defibtech.
They have an M Series,E Series, R Series, Zoll Plus, Zoll Pro and the latest is the Lifevest Wearable Defibrillator.
On Nov.18th 2009 Assistant Chief of EMS, John McFarland cancelled the maintenance program for AEDs in FDNY and ordered coordinators to keep all expired LP12s (LifePack 12 defibrillators) in service.
Many EMTs are concerned about the patient lives at risk by getting a malfunctioning defibrillator. The union also expressed concern of a possible critical failure as the overhaul time lengthens. They also worry about the diagnostics being accurate and trustworthy. In Oct. 2009 a Staten Island ambulance was out of service for 4 hours while waiting for a replacement defibrillator fronm Brooklyn.
These defibrillators cost $25,000 each and not to follow maintenance protocol seems foolish and dangerous for the unlucky victim who gets a malfunctioing defibrillator.
I think the cost of the defibrillator,maintenance schedule,and features could have been more carefully screened before this white elephant ( or should I say- cash cow) began to drain the budget. This is your tax dollar at work? Who is their adviser? The national mint? Who did the planning on this?
Zoll defibrillators are small and light weight, making them very attractive to responders who don’t want to carry a twenty pound weight up three flights of stairs on top of their other equipment. Zoll’s smallest model is one-third the size of other devices and weighs 5 kg..
Zoll is a leading manufacturer of automated external defibrillators. They have a state of the art management system,assessment process with advanced monitoring,a common operating system, and minimize training necessity.
These portable defibrillators are easy to use for non medical personnel. A push of the button and instant verbal instructions in CPR and Defibrillation. If that is not enough, diagrams are printed with step 1,2 etc for easy viewing.
If a shock is not needed in the assessment of the victim , the defibrillator will not let the responder give it. The Zoll AED Plus is the defibrillator with the CPR and Defibrillation instructions, the others just give the defibrillation process.
The company prides itself on quality,in technology and simplicity for public use.
The pros and cons are 50- 50 on that question. Metra is the Metropolitan Rail System in Chicago,and they have come to the conclusion that defibrillators or AEDs are not necessary to their safety program. Conductors are taught to go to the nearest station for emergency help. They point out that the incidents of SCA, which they have had, has not caused anyone to become lifeless. Don’t they know that all it takes is one incident for someone to die?
Are we picking and choosing who can can survive?What if it was your family member? Mother, father, child,or grandparent? Are they to far over the age limit to be considered salvageable?
I’m a senior with reasonable mobility. I have a working brain that is a little forgetful but I believe myself to be capable and salvageable. I have worked with 100 year old patients,some more alert and definitely brighter than me and some totally incapable of making sense. My point is that they were alive and belonged to someone. What gives us the authority to take away their right to life? A miracle could happen. No more arthritis, alzheimers or other debilitating disease as a new drug to reverse all these conditions becomes discovered. Who knows? IT COULD happen! I believe we should all strive to do our best to help our fellow man.
I say Defibrillators are a necessary item for public transportation. I’m voting for the pros. What about you?
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.