CPR Defibrillators Info
The How to of Defibrillators
Archive for the ‘Defibrillator’ 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!
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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.
Do I Need the same defibrillator used by the EMS in my town?
Friday, October 15, 2010
posted by Pat 10:51 AM
The EMS in a town or city like to have the townspeople use the same defibrillators. Why? Because they can connect your defibrillator leads to theirs without replacing the pads on the victim. This saves them time and money. Some rescuers will replace pads anyway. Its as if they don’t think we are capable of making a correct placement with the pads. If I have offended any professional rescuers I apologize, however, I had a rescuer laugh in my prescence to a colleague about the fact that pads are frequently replaced by them. You should know that many companies have connectors to adapt different defibrillators’ accessories to another. Therefore it is not necessary to buy a specific brand simply because your town has that kind.
Buy the best one for you! Check to see if your favorite has a connector for the town’s choice of defibrillator. Don’t be misled into getting a particular brand “because the fire department uses that one”. It might not have been chosen for quality but for a cheaper price or “perks.”
We sell Zoll, Philips, and Defibtech which we consider high quality and reliable for any occasion.I have a hard time choosing between them for my preference because they offer such unique differences. Zoll has pictures and oral instructions. Philips can convert the FRx from adult to pediatric use by the infant/child key. This allows you to use the adult pads as a child pad. Defibtech offers simplicity,ruggedness, and reliability. All defibrillators offer audio instruction.
Don’t forget to do your homework. Check all the brands to see your options and work the best deal. Remember the most expensive is not always the best and neither is the cheapest. I know we all want a bargain but if you need to replace batteries, pads and other accessories then it is a bad bargain. Be smart. Go with a reputable company and check your products track record.
Defibtech Donates Defibrillator to Guilford Fire Department
Saturday, August 7, 2010
posted by Pat 5:22 PM
Defibtech, a company based in Guilford, Connecticut donated one of its Lifeline AEDs (automated external defibrillators) to the town’s fire department. This generosity of giving a gift which keeps on giving will be appreciated by the community.
The Vice President of Defibtech sales stated that the Defibtech is easy to use,durable, and waterproof. 400,000
people each year have a SCA(Sudden Cardiac Arrest) and a defibrillator increases their chance of survival by 10%.
The Defibtech company is to be commended on its service to
all. Their yellow and black defibrillator stands out from the rest.
Several studies have ben done recently to eliminate what was once a vital step in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).The memnonic of CPR is ABC, Airway,Breath and Compression of the chest. The American Heart Association is promoting the elimination of giving the victim 2 breaths at any time. The studies show that people can be revived without them. Rescuers have always been apprehensive about catching germs or diseases from their victims. The more courageous rescuers just jump in and follow the CPR Guidelines by protocol. The more timid ones try to do their duty and pray that they will be safe from an airborn disease like Tuberculosis.
CPR Guidelines have changed over time and those of us who were required to recertify our CPR certificates in order to comply with our jobs have had to adjust to those changes. If you thought you knew the training after having done it for 5 years in a row, you suddenly found new sequences added or deleted to be learned and old practices to forget. Defibrillation was added to CPR in the 1960′s.
Pre cordial chest thump was one of my first changes. A chest thump was given after determining an arrest. Unfortunately on one occasion a patient’s lead had fallen off as he lay sleeping. The nurse called a code due to the monitor’s flatline and he was rudely awakened by a pounding sensation on his chest. Who do you think was more startled? The Code team or the patient?
The 2 new studies reported a 12% increase in dispatcher guided CPR with no breaths given. Hands -only may become our next change. More bystanders maybe more willing to help if their mouth to mouth breaths can be eliminated.
A while back A blog was written about the Reviver Defibrillator by Defibtech. I thought it deserved an update.It is the toughest AED on the market. It has hard rubber sides,light weight, large buttons, and a video to show you how to use it.
One button will give you information on readiness of the battery and its expiration date. The compact design is easy to hold with its rubberized grips. A place for pad storage behind the AED is convenient. The video of pad placement, CPR compressions, rescue breathing, and a pause for defibrillation are shown and verbalized instructions are given in a calm and steady voice. The video is in full color and is definitely an asset to the rescuer(whether trained or not).
The Reviver is the latest design from the company which is devoted to saving lives.
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.
A Zoll Plus defibrillator played an important part in a sudden cardiac arrest event on board the Oasis of the Seas, the gem of the Royal Carribean Cruise Lines Ltd.
The 6200 passenger ship (the largest in the world) was the backdrop of a passenger who collapsed on March 27 of this year. A fellow passenger (who happened to be a doctor) witnessed the arrest, called for a defibrillator and began CPR. The AED arrived and the shock converted the patient.
The passenger then transferred to a local hospital, received a stent proceedure, and is now recovering at home. The Royal Carribean Cruise Lines have placed Zoll defibrillators on all their 27 cruise ships and has 10 AEDs on the Oasis of the Seas.
The pro-active safety program of the cruise lines is to be commended.Passengers definitely come first.
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office received an $1800 donation from the Independent Insurance Agents of Metro Decatur for the purchase of a defibrillator. This will upgrade their service to provide a life saving opportunity for their community. A member of the department who is certified in using the defibrillator will train the other officers. Their goal is to eventually have a defibrillator for each squad car.
Other law enforcement departments in other states have had successful out comes with their programs. Lives of their community members have reaped the benefits of a second chance at life. This is definitely a wonderful start for Decatur, Illinois’ Rescue program.
Life is precious and every precaution should be taken to prolong it. An automated external defibrillator definitely qualifies as a must for those sudden cardiac arrests.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is best known for affecting soldiers in war and traumatic events in our lives. Well now it is connected with some individuals having received an implantable defibrillator after a cardiac event.
Studies show that if the individual experiences PTSD regardless of their disease they will succumb in 5 years. Sounds like therapy will help to reduce the stress and add to a longer life.
Surviving a sudden cardiac arrest leaves significant distress symptoms.Symptoms which include intense fear,painful memories, and psychological tension.