Most conventional wisdom believes that after about three shocks, by a defibrillator, the chances of making a full recovery begin to decline. After all, this will mean the patient has been without a viable heartbeat for many minutes.
One thing that can extend this time is quick, efficient and persistent CPR. As we know, CPR serves to keep the muscles and organs of the body flushed with oxygenated O2 while the defibrillator tries to shock the heart back into its usual rhythm.
Below is an amazing story of a man who received 11 shocks before his heart restarted. It seems the fire-services' persistence really paid off. For me this is an excellent case highlighting a) how amazing defibrillators are and b) how effective CPR can be if used in conjunction with a defibrillator.
When used together, CPR and Defibrillators have amazing power to save a life!
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/393609_medic25.html?source=mypi
Friday, December 26, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Latest Hong Kong News
With regards to the recent, unfortunate incident where a man died outside the Caritias Hospital in Hong Kong from a cardiac arrest, I would like to suggest that this is another case of where the widespread implementation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) may have helped to bring about a much better conclusion.
As you know, AEDs are the critical factor in whether a person is able to make a good recovery in an emergency that involves CPR. Time to defibrillation definitively determines the outcome of the situation. If this time is less than 12minutes, then the chances of death are 95%. The optimum time for defibrillation is within the first 4 minutes of collapse.
Legislation concerning AEDs is now the norm in almost every modern society, Considering Hong Kong’s prominence globally as a “world city” its lack of any legislation concerning AEDs makes it an exception to the norm compared with all other modern cities.
On top of this, the attitude towards AEDs in Hong Kong is often actively-hostile, with many companies or organizations believing that AEDs actually increase their liability. This is of course complete nonsense. For many reasons, too numerous to list here, AEDs significantly decrease liability, this has been resoundingly proven in any country that has adopted AED legislation. So, there is clearly a strong case for creating legislation here in Hong Kong. The widespread introduction of AEDs across the community will undoubtedly save lives from the moment it is instigated.
Increasing Education
Widespread AED legislation across Hong Kong would not only offer the essential equipment needed to save a life, it would also, more importantly, increase the public’s education about emergency situations. Right now, the trend by the American Heart Association is to make life-saving skills even more accessible, by making them simpler to remember and easier to perform. (Check out the new AHA guidelines for “Hand Free CPR”)
If all public places, sports facilities, hotels, shopping centres and managed properties had AEDs and large volumes of their staff were trained to use them, then it is quite possible that if a similar situation occurred like that at Caritias Hospital the receptionist would have been much better equipped to help in the situation. At the very least she could have directed the person to the nearest AED. AEDs are now that simple ANYONE CAN USE THEM, even an untrained person. Any notion that AEDs can only be used by medical practitioners is old, outdated and contrary to all guidelines laid out by CPR governing boards, globally.
It is important to not lose sight of the actual reality here, the Caritias situation has only come into the public domain because a person died outside a hospital, but every day people who could have been saved by the timely application of an AED die waiting for an ambulance, while receptionists, guards, police, friends and loved ones look on, powerless to help because AEDs are not available. The Caritas case is an extreme case, it is not however a rare case.
To conclude, AEDs save lives! They don’t do anything else. They are the only way to restart a person’s heart, this has always been the case, its not a new concept. The fact that a modern city like Hong Kong avoids adopting such an obviously important piece of life-saving equipment baffles anyone who has really taken the time to understand simple first aid.
As you know, AEDs are the critical factor in whether a person is able to make a good recovery in an emergency that involves CPR. Time to defibrillation definitively determines the outcome of the situation. If this time is less than 12minutes, then the chances of death are 95%. The optimum time for defibrillation is within the first 4 minutes of collapse.
Legislation concerning AEDs is now the norm in almost every modern society, Considering Hong Kong’s prominence globally as a “world city” its lack of any legislation concerning AEDs makes it an exception to the norm compared with all other modern cities.
On top of this, the attitude towards AEDs in Hong Kong is often actively-hostile, with many companies or organizations believing that AEDs actually increase their liability. This is of course complete nonsense. For many reasons, too numerous to list here, AEDs significantly decrease liability, this has been resoundingly proven in any country that has adopted AED legislation. So, there is clearly a strong case for creating legislation here in Hong Kong. The widespread introduction of AEDs across the community will undoubtedly save lives from the moment it is instigated.
Increasing Education
Widespread AED legislation across Hong Kong would not only offer the essential equipment needed to save a life, it would also, more importantly, increase the public’s education about emergency situations. Right now, the trend by the American Heart Association is to make life-saving skills even more accessible, by making them simpler to remember and easier to perform. (Check out the new AHA guidelines for “Hand Free CPR”)
If all public places, sports facilities, hotels, shopping centres and managed properties had AEDs and large volumes of their staff were trained to use them, then it is quite possible that if a similar situation occurred like that at Caritias Hospital the receptionist would have been much better equipped to help in the situation. At the very least she could have directed the person to the nearest AED. AEDs are now that simple ANYONE CAN USE THEM, even an untrained person. Any notion that AEDs can only be used by medical practitioners is old, outdated and contrary to all guidelines laid out by CPR governing boards, globally.
It is important to not lose sight of the actual reality here, the Caritias situation has only come into the public domain because a person died outside a hospital, but every day people who could have been saved by the timely application of an AED die waiting for an ambulance, while receptionists, guards, police, friends and loved ones look on, powerless to help because AEDs are not available. The Caritas case is an extreme case, it is not however a rare case.
To conclude, AEDs save lives! They don’t do anything else. They are the only way to restart a person’s heart, this has always been the case, its not a new concept. The fact that a modern city like Hong Kong avoids adopting such an obviously important piece of life-saving equipment baffles anyone who has really taken the time to understand simple first aid.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Defibtech becomes the preferred AED for Mandarin Oriental Hotels Group
Based on excellence in design, training and after sales service, Mandarin Oriental Hotels Group(MOHG) has chosen Defibtech as their preferred AED providers.
MOHG sets the standard for luxury hotels globally and will be instigating a program to equip all its hotels with multiple Defibtech AEDs in 2009.
For more info about MOHG visit their website here : www.mandarin-oriental.com
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Adventure Unlimited take order of Defibtech AEDs
Adventure Unlimited have taken delivery of some brand new Defibtech AEDs, replacing their previous AED solution, which weren't suited to the the rigorous conditions that they often work in.
Adventure Unlimited specializes in offering first aid teams to hard to reach places. They have experience caring for casualties in mountainous areas and have organized evacuations by the fire-services and helicopters. Their teams carry advanced life support, including portable heart defibrillators, O2 units, plus VHF radio handsets. They have our own mobile first-aid van, with a VHF base-station.
All the team members are adventure athletes, and have competed to a high level in mountain races. We are therefore able to reach emergencies quickly and effectively, regardless of terrain or distance.
On adventure races, they pride themselves on getting to an accident site in the quickest time possible. They have experience coordinating their services with local private or voluntary EMS providers and have worked with HKAmbulance Service, AMS and St.John's. They have worked together as a coordinated team on many races in varying conditions.
Their service also includes pre-site checks, action plans, evacuation-plans, course sweeping, de-rigging and finding missing competitors.
The team members are carefully selected for their "hands on" approach to first aid and crisis management and can really make a difference in an emergency.
Premier races in Hong Kong, including Action Asia and King Of The Hills, put their trust in Adventure Unlimited, that should there be an accident, they will be the first to react and do whatever it takes to resolve the situation in a beneficial way.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Across Hong Kong up to 20% of the population have some kind of CPR training.
This is great news for anyone who should be involved in a CPR emergency as it means that for every 10 people you see, two of them have the ability to save a life.
If you know a little CPR, then you can easily use an AED. The use of an AED drastically increases the chance of recovery from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and as AEDs become more acceptable across society their potential to save lives will increase.
Every community, without exception has benefitted from the introduction of AEDs, and Hong Kong and China will be no different. ASM's 4hour, CPR/AED training course specializes in intergrating the AED into pre-existing CPR training.
If you know a little CPR, then you can easily use an AED. The use of an AED drastically increases the chance of recovery from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and as AEDs become more acceptable across society their potential to save lives will increase.
Every community, without exception has benefitted from the introduction of AEDs, and Hong Kong and China will be no different. ASM's 4hour, CPR/AED training course specializes in intergrating the AED into pre-existing CPR training.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Defibrillators TRUE or FALSE ?
You can be sued for using a defibrillator - FALSE
This is a complete myth, no-one has ever been sued for using a defibrillator anywhere in the world.
You can be sued for not having a defibrillator in your place of work, public area etc - TRUE
This is absolute fact. Even though there are no such cases which have been to court here in HK yet, anyone who has a business that employs staff or interacts with the general public is liable to a large lawsuit if someone suffers from an SCA on their premises. It is just as matter of time.
Defibrillators haven't saved anyone I know before, so they can't save anyone in the future - FALSE
Completely false, as soon as defibrillators are introduced into communities they start saving lives, even if they haven't been there in the past.
Defibrillators are just for old people - FALSE
Anyone can suffer from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Not just old people. SCAs can be caused by shock, electric shock, near drownings, falls or any number of accidents.
Defibrillators can save everyone whose heart has stopped - FALSE
Some people just die, defibrillators can improve a person's chance of recovery, but they can't start every heart.
If I use a defibrillator and the person does not recover I can get sued - FALSE
Totally false, no-one has ever been sued for a victim not being revived by a defibrillator. The unit also records all the data of the incident, so it can be shown that everything was done to try and save the victim.
It is impossible for a defibrillator to hurt someone - FALSE
If you pick up a defibrillator and smack someone around the head with it, it will probably hurt them, but it wont give them an electrical shock!
The defibrillator can only shock dead people - TRUE
Absolutely true, the units software can only advise a shock on someone who is dead, so what have they got to lose?
Our legal department advises us not to get an AED, and they know what they're talking about -FALSE
Legal departments are surprisingly ignorant about defibrillators in Asia and often know next to nothing about them. When considering getting a unit, ask your legal department for hard evidence on why you shouldn't get one.... you may be surprised to find that they can't produce anything.
p.s.. if they can produce something, please send it to us and we will publish it.
Defibrillators are expensive - FALSE
We at Asia Safety Management Ltd are the first in the region to offer these life-savings products at "published" affordable prices.
See our packages and costs page.
We don't need one because the emergency services are so good here - FALSE
It's true, ambulances are good, but they still operate well outside the optimum time for defibrillation. If you can use a defibrillator within less than 12 mins, preferably less than 4mins, then the chances of that person surviving are drastically increased.
An ambulances can usually get to an address within 18mins. Well outside the time window for recovery. The ambulance arrives just in time to bring out the body-bag.
NOTE: Ambulance times are recorded from the time they are despatched, until the time they reach the address, not the time they reach the casualty. Lifts, stairs etc.. all add on valuable time.
In the future defibrillators will be as common as fire-extinguishers - TRUE
This is actually a mis-leading fact, as comparing a defibrillator to a fire-extinguisher is a little unfair.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest kills more people than fire, car wrecks, handguns, cancer and aids combined. So it goes without saying that they will be more common than a fire-extinguisher.
Defibrillators are hard to use? - FALSE
This is a complete myth, no-one has ever been sued for using a defibrillator anywhere in the world.
You can be sued for not having a defibrillator in your place of work, public area etc - TRUE
This is absolute fact. Even though there are no such cases which have been to court here in HK yet, anyone who has a business that employs staff or interacts with the general public is liable to a large lawsuit if someone suffers from an SCA on their premises. It is just as matter of time.
Defibrillators haven't saved anyone I know before, so they can't save anyone in the future - FALSE
Completely false, as soon as defibrillators are introduced into communities they start saving lives, even if they haven't been there in the past.
Defibrillators are just for old people - FALSE
Anyone can suffer from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Not just old people. SCAs can be caused by shock, electric shock, near drownings, falls or any number of accidents.
Defibrillators can save everyone whose heart has stopped - FALSE
Some people just die, defibrillators can improve a person's chance of recovery, but they can't start every heart.
If I use a defibrillator and the person does not recover I can get sued - FALSE
Totally false, no-one has ever been sued for a victim not being revived by a defibrillator. The unit also records all the data of the incident, so it can be shown that everything was done to try and save the victim.
It is impossible for a defibrillator to hurt someone - FALSE
If you pick up a defibrillator and smack someone around the head with it, it will probably hurt them, but it wont give them an electrical shock!
The defibrillator can only shock dead people - TRUE
Absolutely true, the units software can only advise a shock on someone who is dead, so what have they got to lose?
Our legal department advises us not to get an AED, and they know what they're talking about -FALSE
Legal departments are surprisingly ignorant about defibrillators in Asia and often know next to nothing about them. When considering getting a unit, ask your legal department for hard evidence on why you shouldn't get one.... you may be surprised to find that they can't produce anything.
p.s.. if they can produce something, please send it to us and we will publish it.
Defibrillators are expensive - FALSE
We at Asia Safety Management Ltd are the first in the region to offer these life-savings products at "published" affordable prices.
See our packages and costs page.
We don't need one because the emergency services are so good here - FALSE
It's true, ambulances are good, but they still operate well outside the optimum time for defibrillation. If you can use a defibrillator within less than 12 mins, preferably less than 4mins, then the chances of that person surviving are drastically increased.
An ambulances can usually get to an address within 18mins. Well outside the time window for recovery. The ambulance arrives just in time to bring out the body-bag.
NOTE: Ambulance times are recorded from the time they are despatched, until the time they reach the address, not the time they reach the casualty. Lifts, stairs etc.. all add on valuable time.
In the future defibrillators will be as common as fire-extinguishers - TRUE
This is actually a mis-leading fact, as comparing a defibrillator to a fire-extinguisher is a little unfair.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest kills more people than fire, car wrecks, handguns, cancer and aids combined. So it goes without saying that they will be more common than a fire-extinguisher.
Defibrillators are hard to use? - FALSE
A defibrillator for the future...
A description of the Defibtech Lifeline AED compared to other models on the market
The Defibtech Lifeline model AED is one of (if not) the best defibrillator on the market.
The manufacturer, Defibtech, only focuses on the design and development of AEDs, unlike many of their competitors who bought outside companies to add a defibrillator to their product line.
The Lifeline is also one of the easiest models to use, and has unique design features that make it stand out from the crowd:
The Lifeline is the only AED on the market which is available with a 7-year battery.
With the 7-year battery, the unit provides 300 shocks and a 16-hour operating time. No other AED offers this capability.
A 9-volt status indicator battery (which is easily replaceable)is included in the main battery. This means that none of the units' main battery power is used up to power the indicator lights.
The unit is IP5X rated for dust protection. Dust is a certainty in most non-medical deployments, and the Lifeline has the highest dust protection rating above all defibrillators.
The unit is IPX4 rated for water protection, meaning that it is splash-proof, and can be used in wet environments. It is among the highest rated defibrillators for water protection.
The unit has been tested to (US) military standards for shock and vibration, as well as being jet aircraft and helicopter tested.
The unit uses "snap-it" technology internally, meaning all the parts snap together and there are no screws which can slowly unwind over time from vibration etc.
The unit has an internal memory store which can record about 20 minutes of ECG data. With an optional data card, the unit can store up to 12 hours of ECG or 2 hours of audio data.
The unit is the only model on the market that can be upgraded in the field by the end-user wherever it is deployed. Upgrades may include voice prompts, rescue protocols, energy settings, and self-test requirements, and may be downloaded to the device via a data card.
When using the training pack, the unit can be converted from a "live" unit into a trainer, which can be used for practice.
The handle and rubberized over-molding have been designed for easy grip and handling during emergency situations.
There is no lid or moving parts that may confuse users not familiar with the unit, or may cause a delay when trying to operate the device.
The electrode pads are pre-connected to the device that will reduce the time during a rescue.
The pads are also conveniently held at the back of the machine, so no case is required in which to store the pads.
The unit only has 2 operation buttons, designed for simplicity and intuitive use.
The high visibility colouration enables rapid location of the device, and makes it less intimidating to use.
Bright LED indicators make it easy to follow the unit instructions.
There is no ECG display that may confuse lay-persons who attempt to use the machine during a rescue situation.
The unit provides loud, clear voice prompts and instructions which are easy to understand and follow.
The unit is available with in many languages including English, Cantonese, or Mandarin protocols.
The unit conducts regular (daily, weekly, and monthly) diagnostic self-tests.
Compare this to other AEDs on the market..... The Defibtech lifeline AED is the obvious choice on every level.
The Defibtech Lifeline model AED is one of (if not) the best defibrillator on the market.
The manufacturer, Defibtech, only focuses on the design and development of AEDs, unlike many of their competitors who bought outside companies to add a defibrillator to their product line.
The Lifeline is also one of the easiest models to use, and has unique design features that make it stand out from the crowd:
The Lifeline is the only AED on the market which is available with a 7-year battery.
With the 7-year battery, the unit provides 300 shocks and a 16-hour operating time. No other AED offers this capability.
A 9-volt status indicator battery (which is easily replaceable)is included in the main battery. This means that none of the units' main battery power is used up to power the indicator lights.
The unit is IP5X rated for dust protection. Dust is a certainty in most non-medical deployments, and the Lifeline has the highest dust protection rating above all defibrillators.
The unit is IPX4 rated for water protection, meaning that it is splash-proof, and can be used in wet environments. It is among the highest rated defibrillators for water protection.
The unit has been tested to (US) military standards for shock and vibration, as well as being jet aircraft and helicopter tested.
The unit uses "snap-it" technology internally, meaning all the parts snap together and there are no screws which can slowly unwind over time from vibration etc.
The unit has an internal memory store which can record about 20 minutes of ECG data. With an optional data card, the unit can store up to 12 hours of ECG or 2 hours of audio data.
The unit is the only model on the market that can be upgraded in the field by the end-user wherever it is deployed. Upgrades may include voice prompts, rescue protocols, energy settings, and self-test requirements, and may be downloaded to the device via a data card.
When using the training pack, the unit can be converted from a "live" unit into a trainer, which can be used for practice.
The handle and rubberized over-molding have been designed for easy grip and handling during emergency situations.
There is no lid or moving parts that may confuse users not familiar with the unit, or may cause a delay when trying to operate the device.
The electrode pads are pre-connected to the device that will reduce the time during a rescue.
The pads are also conveniently held at the back of the machine, so no case is required in which to store the pads.
The unit only has 2 operation buttons, designed for simplicity and intuitive use.
The high visibility colouration enables rapid location of the device, and makes it less intimidating to use.
Bright LED indicators make it easy to follow the unit instructions.
There is no ECG display that may confuse lay-persons who attempt to use the machine during a rescue situation.
The unit provides loud, clear voice prompts and instructions which are easy to understand and follow.
The unit is available with in many languages including English, Cantonese, or Mandarin protocols.
The unit conducts regular (daily, weekly, and monthly) diagnostic self-tests.
Compare this to other AEDs on the market..... The Defibtech lifeline AED is the obvious choice on every level.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
What is Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) ?
Ventricular fibrillation is an uncoordinated series of very rapid, but ineffective contractions throughout the ventricles of the heart.In most case the person who is being affected will become unconscious in seconds and if not treated immediately will go in to convulsions.
This can cause irreversible brain damage in a very short period, often less than five minutes, as there is a lack of oxygen reaching the
brain.
These ineffective and uncoordinated contractions of the heart are initiated by irregular electrical activity in the lower heart chambers or ventricles.
This condition is a common complication of heart attacks and can also be caused by electrocution or drowning or other shocks to the body.
With ventricular fibrillation the heart will cease to pump blood effectively and unless a normal heart rhythm is quickly restored this condition is often fatal.
The most effective way to treat VF is via early defibrillation.
The Most common course of VF is a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) SCA affects milions of people all over the world and kills up to 6000 people in Hong Kong every year., that's over 15 people a day!
You don't have to be old, sick or overweight to suffer from a SCA.
It is also not something that only effects western people.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Defibrillators are in fact very simple machines
Defibrillators are in fact very simple machines. They can only operate within a small scope and look for a specific signs before they will recommend a shock. If these specific factors are not detectable then it is impossible for the unit to deliver a shock.
The software in the machine recognizes two different signals, either a regular heart pattern, which looks like this:
Or a heart which is in ventricular fibrillation VF, which looks like this:
If the defibrillator detects this abnormal heart pattern, it will advise a shock to try and restore the hearts normal function.
NOTE: The unit does not automatically shock, it remains the choice of the person attending to finally press the button to deliver the shock.
It is completely impossible for the unit to operate if the VF pattern is not present.
Any comments that defibrillators are dangerous is completely groundless and based in ignorance.
Defibtech offers the best AEDs on the market
The Defibtech Life-Line is one of the best selling defibrillators on the market, and has been used by a range of organizations (including the armed forces, police and rescue services, offices, factories, schools, shopping centres and other public venues) in order to save lives.
These machines are technologically advanced, yet simple to use. The device will analyse a patient's heart's electrical signals when the electrode pads are placed on their chest, and determine if the person is suffering from a cardiac arrest. The AED provides clear, precise voice instructions which help to guide the operator when trying to save a patient.
The striking black and yellow design of these life-saving devices mean that they are easy to spot, and are non-intimidating to use. They are lightweight and durable, and are fast becoming an essential piece of safety equipment, similar to fire extinguishers and smoke alarms.
What defibrillator...
Has the most up to date technology?
Can upload new protocols onsite?
Has the longest battery life?
Is shock proof?
Dust proof?
Has the highest water-proofing?
Has no moving parts?
Needs no outer casing?
Can deliver the most shocks?
Comes at an affordable price?
Just a little research will come up with the obvious answer, the Defibtech Lifeline is the best unit on the market.
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