Diver Death Octopus Hole Hood Canal Washington

[uncfnp]

Sorry to interject a technical question into this solemn thread. I know from classes that the AED has to detect a "shockable" rhythm because some tachychardia should not be shocked. What I didn't realize was that the AED would not shock if there was no pulse at all. Is that correct? Any heart docs out there that can elaborate?

You are right that an AED recognizes venticular arrhythmias, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, and will "defibrillate" these rhythms but does not "shock" other types of tachycardias.

But AED's do shock pulseless victims. Its why they need CPR. Think about it. You do not do CPR on anyone with a pulse. A slow VT will occassionally create a detectable pulse. VF, I hate to use the word never in medicine but I think it is safe here, never has a detectable pulse. What I think was meant is that the AED did not detect any cardiac rhythm at all, called asystole. There must be some electrical activity fron the heart for defibrillation to be attempted. Otherwise, treatment is CPR and with EMS arrival, medications such as epinephrine. This is continued until either the victim regains a shockable rhythmn or efforts are terminated.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

You realize this is almost a 10 yo thread? No pulse, no AED shock. The units that paramedics use may have manual overrides, but not the ones you see hanging on the wall

... understandable, as there was another death at the same dive site last week-end ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)