There are many things we see frequently but take little or no notice of—until it’s something we literally need to save our own or someone else’s life. Defibrillators are among those things.
The bright red packages seen in many public and private spaces are something of a mystery to most of us but are all too familiar to many who have lived to tell the story of how one saved their life.
Fred Blackstein is known to just about everyone in the Valley as the “Volunteer Extraordinaire,” a true raconteur, and a gentleman. What not everyone knows is that he is also highly trained in the use of the defibrillator, or AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
He says paramedics have nearly 500 of these units strategically placed throughout the county, including one with Blackstein himself.
If there is ever a need to use one of these machines, even for those of us who are untrained, Fred brought a unit into the station and walked us through the various steps. The machine actually talks the user through the entire process.
The unit is sealed with a Velcro strap across the top, making it very easy to access in an emergency—no zippers or clasps to fumble with when seconds count. The first step after opening the red case and pressing the green button to power up the unit sounds like this:
The long pause after the first instruction is left in purposely to give the user time to calmly go through the proper steps. The next prompt is as follows:
The following prompt is similar to the previous one and sounds like this:
At this point, one of two things will happen. As the pads “communicate” with one another, they will either detect a heart rhythm that requires an electrical shock to help restore a normal heartbeat during cardiac arrest, or they will determine that no shock is required.
In other words, the patient cannot be harmed by an unnecessary shock because the machine will not deliver one unless it is needed. If a shock is required, the AED will audibly warn the user to stand clear before delivering the electrical impulse.
People often ask what the difference is between performing chest compressions by hand and using an AED, and the answer might—well—shock you.
Blackstein also notes that every 60-second delay in using an AED typically results in a 10 per cent decrease in survivability. The ability to use one of these machines can literally mean the difference between life and death.
Blackstein notes that while he is not a certified AED trainer, anyone interested in learning more about the proper use of an AED or who has related questions can click on the link below.
(Written By: Richard Evans)
