Yesterday's lessons

[Andyregs]

The Defib analyses the rhythm (or lack thereof). The public/consumer units won't let you shock unless it's a suitable arrhythmia.

 

You'd always do CPR anyway and then find out from an ECG/the automated defib whether it's asystole or arrhythmia, CPR is valid for both. The heart is beating but very irregularly and with reduced output and the patient will be unconscious from the sudden blood pressure drop. You still need to do compressions to maintain decent blood flow and get Oxygen flowing. The defib is to try and recover to a normal self-sustaining sinus rhythm.

 

I have to retrain on this stuff on the regular at work. If you ever get in this situation just compress down very hard with both hands at 120bpm. A lot of people don't do it hard enough; It sounds mental but breaking the ribs in the process is not a bad thing. You have to be quite forceful with it.

 

Cheers. Good to know. I was first aid trained for work about 10 years ago, and it was before defibrillators were widely available so we only did the cpr.

And I remember how hard we had to press down, but thinking about it, you’re having to massage a heart through a rid cage.

[Valiant62]

The rhytmn to do compressions to is either”Nelly the Elephant” or “Stayin’ Alive” by the BeeGees...

As a couple of people have said, most important thing is get on with compressions and if possible swap every thirty or so because you get more tired than you realise.

[Valiant62]

The rhytmn to do compressions to is either”Nelly the Elephant” or “Stayin’ Alive” by the BeeGees...

As a couple of people have said, most important thing is get on with compressions and if possible swap every thirty or so because you get more tired than you realise.

[Santa]

The rhytmn to do compressions to is either”Nelly the Elephant” or “Stayin’ Alive” by the BeeGees...

The Toy Dolls version?