Defibrillators

[Newfie]

Defibrillators
A couple of questions to people who carry a defibrillator
Do you notify the site that you stay on that you have one available to use in emergency
Do you have a sign on your MH saying you carry one

 

[Wh05apk]

With regards breaking into a van to get one, if I was the only person with the patient, in a remote location, standing next to a van or house with stickers saying there was a defibrillator, and that was the only chance of saving them, I would not think twice about breaking in, and take the consequences later.

 

[Two on Tour]

With regards breaking into a van to get one, if I was the only person with the patient, in a remote location, standing next to a van or house with stickers saying there was a defibrillator, and that was the only chance of saving them, I would not think twice about breaking in, and take the consequences later.

Realistically they would die in the time it took you to break in and locate the defibrillator.

I would say the best option for you to give them a chance of saving them is CPR and phone 999.

 

[Quackers]

Am feeling a bit poorly at the moment so from memory, 10 year battery life and routine testing maintenance advised. Obviously if used then have to replace parts.

Hope you get better soon Annie. Great idea to notify rally marshals that you carry a defibrillator.

At Woodside field we have always supported GWAAC, (Great Western Air Ambulance Charity)
At this years Motorhome Fun April 2024 rally they have agreed to come and visit for a Q&A session and do some practical demos. So anybody looking for a defibrillator can get to see one and ask the right questions.

 

[Littlewheels]

The one in your link slightly more expensive I think, am I missing something? They appear to be the same machine even though my link says fully automatic and your link says semi-automatic.

Less expensive at £965

But confusing as you say yet exact reference number.

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[Littlewheels]

#Riverbankannie, apologies Annie l didn’t realise you were ill. Get well soon.

 

[scotjimland]

Less expensive at £965

that is ex vat

£1158 .. inc vat

 

[Carpmart]

With regards breaking into a van to get one, if I was the only person with the patient, in a remote location, standing next to a van or house with stickers saying there was a defibrillator, and that was the only chance of saving them, I would not think twice about breaking in, and take the consequences later.

TBH, this attitude would put me off advertising I carry one…

 

[Steve and Denise]

that is ex vat

£1158 .. inc vat

Yes the government needs their 20% B*******s

 

[PaulW2]

TBH, this attitude would put me off advertising I carry one…

But wouldn't you do the same? It's an interesting individual property rights versus community need question.

Consider the framing - remote, only you can make the difference, there is a defibrillator on the other side of the door and no time to lose.

What is the alternative? "Sorry, if it's between me breaking a door and your life then I'm afraid..."

It's good for buildings or institutions to have them because few people ever need them, and only one defibrillator is ever needed at the same time, and the one therefore benefits hundreds.

A similar effect can be achieved where a certain percentage of people 'on the street' have them, provided that the existence of the thing is known.

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[Newfie]

If you are ever in need to use one, You can find your nearest defibrillator here & if you own one add to the list

Defib finder – find the defibrillators nearest you.

Defib finder uses data from The Circuit, the national defibrillator network, to help you find information about the nearest defibrillators to you.

www.defibfinder.uk

 

[Fragle]

But you would give them a plaster if they cut a finger ?

Yes of course I will.

Once they have paid for it. Cash obviously

 

[AndyPK]

I presume your AF (atrial fibrillation) is apparent 24/7, Newfie ..?
I’ve had it for decades and never thought about a defibrillator, but now I am……….

 

[Fragle]

TBH, this attitude would put me off advertising I carry one…

Imagine the scene when you realise that you return to your van to find someone has broken in and taken your equipment. You did put a sticker on the van.
The stress of the situation and you now need the expensive equipment that you paid for to save you or your partner is not there to save you.
It could happen.
I’m with you there would be no sticker on my van. That’s not to say I would not use it if required but my choice and not someone smashing my van up

 

[meanders]

I can remember MHF doing some fund raising to buy some !

Correct. I think Fun bought three of which I have one in the van as up to now we have marshalled a lot. Sadly, I think we will be able to marshal less in future, so I have advised Jim and will pass it on to one of the other regular marshals. We brought it back to full use last year after waiting about two years for replacement pads and battery. I was reassured by a NHS CPR/Defib trainer that the chances of out of code pads not working are close to zero, and if the battery still has any power left it should be used rather than doing nothing.

We also have a AED at the village hall next door in an outside cabinet that the Ambulance Service hold the access code for. I hope everyone knows that if you dial 999 while in front of the locked cabinet, they will give you the access code?

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[Jonno1103]

Thats why I bought a fully automated one. You cannot do any harm. If someone had flatlined, I would certainly give it a go, then its up to the machine to take over.

I agree, CPR for deffo in an attempt to keep the blood flowing to the brain & heart and then allow an AED to function if or when you can regain an erratic pulse and there's arrythmia such as VT or VF.

 

[Newfie]

I presume your AF (atrial fibrillation) is apparent 24/7, Newfie ..?
I’ve had it for decades and never thought about a defibrillator, but now I am……….

I don’t feel anything but had a blood pressure test that came up with AF, had a 7day heart monitor test & ecg
Which shows I’m getting an extra beat every 2 regular ones. Ultrasound scan shows all good. Dr suggested it could be because I’ve been on high blood pressure meds for 20 years although BP is controlled to be in the normal range.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

If you are ever in need to use one, You can find your nearest defibrillator here & if you own one add to the list

Defib finder – find the defibrillators nearest you.

Defib finder uses data from The Circuit, the national defibrillator network, to help you find information about the nearest defibrillators to you.

www.defibfinder.uk

I didn’t know about this. Very useful.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

But wouldn't you do the same? It's an interesting individual property rights versus community need question.

Consider the framing - remote, only you can make the difference, there is a defibrillator on the other side of the door and no time to lose.

What is the alternative? "Sorry, if it's between me breaking a door and your life then I'm afraid..."

It's good for buildings or institutions to have them because few people ever need them, and only one defibrillator is ever needed at the same time, and the one therefore benefits hundreds.

A similar effect can be achieved where a certain percentage of people 'on the street' have them, provided that the existence of the thing is known.

Avoiding the debate on breaking in I know, but to clarify the life saving issue.

In the scenario of a remote location and only you can help then what you MUST do is ring 999 and put your phone on speaker. Then start CPR immediately, anything else such as breaking in and searching for an AED is counterproductive and will almost certainly lead to the death of the casualty. The most important thing you can do is start CPR. By ringing 999 you will have got an AED coming to you. Even if there are two of you, alternating who does CPR every two minutes would be better than one of you going off searching. The quality of CPR drops after two minutes even among professionals.

So to be clear, if ‘only you can save them’ the correct course would be 999 and CPR. Not abandoning the patient and going off in search of an AED.