Defibrillators

When it comes to the concept of first aid, making sure you are well-equipped and prepared always is very important. This isn’t a requirement only for medical professionals. Things like using a defibrillator or knowing CPR are some essentials these days.

Many first aid hacks can successfully save someone’s life. This is not an exaggerated statement and is easy to understand once you know the real reason behind it. First aid falls under the concept of health and beauty . However, it’s the very first step that you take when there is an emergency. Many people merely look at it when an accident takes place, there is bleeding or a cut, burn, and so on. However, it also extends to the process of providing CPR and knowing how to use a defibrillator in such a scenario. There can be several reasons why a person starts feeling breathlessness. It can be the signs of an upcoming heart attack, a panic attack, high blood pressure and more.

Different types of defibrillator devices that we have today

First-aid assistance is hugely underrated. Even if people know about it, they don’t know knowledge apart from the basics of stopping bleeding, checking if there is a fracture and other similar knowledge. However, when it comes to internal symptoms, many of us without medical experience would be clueless. It’s important to remember that such situations can also arise at home, with family and sometimes while travelling where you don’t know how to get help immediately. Knowing the right medical tricks can help save someone’s life in this case, and it’s incredibly vital to understand. Here is all you need to know about the defibrillator types for first aid help.

The AED machine

The automated external defibrillator or the AED is a portable device and is a part of any fully equipped first aid kit. It is the quickest way to track a cardiac arrest or know if the heartbeats are not right. It can be corrected using defibrillation or the application of electricity to stop the arrhythmia. This later allows the heart to come back to a productive rhythm and continue its pumping. The machine uses simple audio and visual commands to start working on the suffering person and is the quickest way to get things back on track. A good AED machine is the best way to keep the person at risk stable until the medical departments arrive at the spot.

An AED defibrillator

The AED is a type of defibrillator but isn’t the same. These are easy to use once you know the tactics and are a part of first aid kits. The defibrillator is removed from its packaging and will generally release an alarm to let the department know it’s in use. It is also a reminder for them to alter the nearest hospital if nobody has done it yet. These days, you can also get an AED defibrillator for home use if someone has heart conditions. Two or more people at home should know how to use it. More importantly, they should be able to identify the symptoms that the person requires assistance with. The home kit comprises a face shield, nitrile rubber gloves, trauma shears for cutting through the person’s clothes, and a small towel.

The defibrillator implants

The defibrillator implants fall in the same category as a pacemaker. They generally function well for five to seven years, depending on the brand. Once the battery wears out, it’s not hazardous to the patients; however, a replacement helps them go on better. A mild sedative helps the patient relax, and this is when the doctor will do his job. An electrophysiologist is the right person to fit a defibrillator just below the collarbone. Many people with the device lead normal, healthy lives, and it in no way affects regular office jobs. You might have to be cautious during security checks, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENs), Therapeutic radiation, diathermy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines.

The defibrillator with paddles

The oldest type, a defibrillator with paddles, is not as popular today, but some health and medical institutions might still carry them. They are easy to use, cost less and are best in emergencies. However, if you compare them to the AED machine, this type’s inevitable downfalls too. Once the device is on and set, the sternal paddles get to the right of the upper sternal border. The apical paddle then made to the left of the nipple with the centre of the electrode of the mid-axillary line. The overall pressure on the paddles should not exceed 6 kgs. Just as a regular defibrillator, the paddles are also used directly on the chest wall to produce a shock.