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

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.

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.

Defibtech Video