AED or not?

[PairofMedics]

Where do you live?

I live in Holland ( Den Helder to be exact)
I thank you all for your advice. Off course we will do training before using it. I was already convinced that we should have one, and I havent read any disadvantages. So I will propose to buy one in our next meeting
Thanks to you all.[/QUOTE]
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There is some good advice here and yes, you're right, there are no real disadvantages to having one aboard and even if there was, they are far outweighed by the benefits of having an AED onboard. Here in the united states we even have grant programs run by the federal and local governments since AEDs are generally speaking, very expensive. There are many brands, and you'll see each paramedic, nurse or doctor will have thier own preferences (we like the hewlitt packard and zoll series AED as well as lifepaks) so good luck in your search and feel free to ask any more detailed questions when researching which unit to choose.

 

[TheAvatar]

For safety, is spending $1500 on a device that might increase the survival odds of a sudden arrest 1% the best bang for your buck, or is there another option that is better?

 

[crisis_12]

Research has shown that AEDs have a MUCH better success rate than 1%. Look at the statistics for O’Hare and Las Vegas, and you’d be amazed. (Yes I know how you can skew statistics…) If you have a shock-able rhythm and the time from arrest to defibrillation is within a short period you have great results; some studies even claim 70%-90%. (Of course they drop about 10% per minute of arrest and again the framework of some of the studies are suspect…..) They really are the best bang for your buck and the way the prices have come down they are within many organizations’s grasp. Proper training to include CPR and additional skills like good assessment, O2 administration, etc.. are necessary too; but they really are simple to use. We call them firefighter proof, but not too loudly or we end up taped to the pole at the station.

I’m kind of partial to the Lifepak CRs.

 

[derwoodwithasherwood]

Nothing is firefighter proof.

I wonder how the populace at O'Hare, et al compares to the crowd in a dive club. Specifically, what are the respective expected percentages of detecting a shockable rythm by the time the pads are applied? In an airport when someone suddenly has chest pains and collapses there's few obstacles to rapid intervention. The situation is somewhat different at 100' (or in this case, 30M).

Of course, the odds are a lot better if the AED is on the boat instead of on the shore...

One point that nobody has brought up is on-going maintenance. You can't just buy one, file it in a storage locker and expect it to function years from now when it's needed. I don't know what the normal maintenance cycle is for a public access AED, but our SAED units must be tested regularly (tester available at extra cost), batteries cycled and replaced, pads replaced periodically, etc. That applies to the personel as well of course -- ongoing training cycles to update existing credentials and bring replacement staff up to speed. Don't ignore this long-term commitment when evaluating the cost/benefit ratio.

 

[BigJetDriver]

Nothing is firefighter proof.

I wonder how the populace at O'Hare, et al compares to the crowd in a dive club. Specifically, what are the respective expected percentages of detecting a shockable rythm by the time the pads are applied? In an airport when someone suddenly has chest pains and collapses there's few obstacles to rapid intervention. The situation is somewhat different at 100' (or in this case, 30M).

Of course, the odds are a lot better if the AED is on the boat instead of on the shore...

One point that nobody has brought up is on-going maintenance. You can't just buy one, file it in a storage locker and expect it to function years from now when it's needed. I don't know what the normal maintenance cycle is for a public access AED, but our SAED units must be tested regularly (tester available at extra cost), batteries cycled and replaced, pads replaced periodically, etc. That applies to the personel as well of course -- ongoing training cycles to update existing credentials and bring replacement staff up to speed. Don't ignore this long-term commitment when evaluating the cost/benefit ratio.

So far, most of them seem to have a five-year battery life. Don't know about the storage life on the pads. Training is minimal. (Turn on, listen to instructions...) On the boat you would need a really good hard case with seals.

 

[DaFireMedic]

Nothing is firefighter proof.

LOL....How true

Seriously though, as others have said, the AED must be nearby to do any good. The chances of successful resuscitation drop 10% for every minute that defibrillation is delayed. This includes getting him to the surface and onto solid ground (land or boat), strippng his suit off, drying his torso, and applying the patches.

An oxygen kit is more important in this case, IMHO, but if you already have one then I definitely recommend an AED.

 

[Wildcard]

Refurbed units are available for under a grand now. At some point some land shark will try to blame someone for NOT having a defib. "You have O2 but not a defib?????? Why is that and how much can I settle this for????"

 

[AquaHump]

Refurbed units are available for under a grand now. At some point some land shark will try to blame someone for NOT having a defib. "You have O2 but not a defib?????? Why is that and how much can I settle this for????"

Who is to say it is for a diver? To have one for others would be the true help. the dive at 100' that stops breathing is more then likley done. its for the guy who is standing there when the body comes up and he has an MI after seeing a dead diver return

 

[crisis_12]

I did have a guy gack on me once when he came around the corner form frozen foods and saw me doing CPR on his wife. Damn BLS crew didn't get out and I was ALS for 2 pts instead of one.... Something to consider. (Then again I went diving with Aquahump this morning and I think he MIGHT be half firefighter........ He makes a great DPV so I think he might have potential to be an engine gorilla.)

Derwood has a point about PMCS. I bellieve a similar thing happened at the airport in Philly. Units put in, not serviced and DOA when they were needed. Out PAD program has an AED inspection monthly and servicing for the LP 500s every 6 months. The costs could be very high.....