use of defibrillator (and availability of same)

[lisbei]

My main question is this: what kind of defibrillator would be available to EMTs/paramedics in California (or the US as a whole? Is that too general

Comments

[deadhavyn]

That would be an AED. People who take CPR courses learn how to use them too. Not only that, but ambulances aren't the only things that have an AED. The majority of schools have them (at least in my state, which is MA) and I'm going to assume plenty of businesses have them as well. I believe there's been a push in recent years for businesses and schools to get these.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_external_defibrillator

[jamoche]

The software company I work with in California has those near every restroom in the newer (5 year old) buildings - haven't seen them in the older ones.

[lisbei]

Thank you, read about that, but this is going to happen in an abandoned warehouse in a run down area - it's already fortuitous that character 2 knows CPR, an AED being in such a place would be too much!

[verrucaria]

Gyms and more and more public places have AEDs nowadays. I would imagine that there are state laws requiring them.

[calcitrix]

From what I know, most ambulances carry AEDs because they're so portable and they do most of the work. The ones ambulances carry are a little different from the less expensive ones scattered in fitness centers and other places,* but they do speak. I believe ambulances are required to carry the kind that not only monitor the heart and give a shock if necessary, but also keep a record of everything from the moment it's attached.

ETA: *different battery packs and re-usable pads, mainly.

[adafrog]

The AEDs are are everywhere in the US. They're basically made made for idiots to use, and do absolutely tell you what to do. I would think that if he's already stopped breathing because of the heart, then he's unconscious.

On the ambulance, I'm not sure if they still have the regular ones or the AED. You might check 'paramedics.'

[joanwilder]

I'm an ER nurse, and I've never seen a paramedic crew use an AED, which is more for unskilled personnel. They usually carry a portable version of what we have in the ER: a monitor with shock/pacer capability. It's going to count on them to interpret rhythms, and the only indication it will give them is a 'go' sound when the joules they've dialed in are ready to be discharged. The paramedics themselves have to call the 'clear'. They run the monitor tape whenever they're going to shock/cardiovert or pace. Can't run it all the time, or you're out of paper. Some of those machines have a memory, some don't. Now, if it's an EMT crew without a paramedic, they might use an AED. But usually in situations where defibbing is a possibility on a call, a paramedic would ideally have been sent or summoned to the scene as part of that call.

[lisbei]

Thank you!

Thanks to you and nikaratrenal I know to have an ambulance with paramedics on it, though the bystanders will have to make the emergency call without giving away how they know the guy is in v-fib!

[joanwilder]

Is it necessary for the bystanders to say anything about v-fib when they make the call? They could just say, "this guy stopped breathing and we can't find a pulse," which is certainly valid reason for calling 911/doing CPR, and doesn't require any super-senses to detect!