Personal defibrillators

Yucca said:
Excellent post!!! Iv been thinking the exact same and was thinking of asking this same question. Snap!

We don’t have one anywhere near our house or at work.

My brain tells me this is a sensible investment. But they are so expensive! And probably need recalibrating annually or something!
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Nope no need to calibrate but every 5 years the pad pak needs replaced (not too expensive)
 
billysielu said:
Nah it's a scam. The people who sell defibs have tricked tons of places into having defibs, yet nobody knows where they are or how to use them so it's pointless.
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And stupidest post of the year award goes to...

I know of at least 3 within half a mile of my house, also have an app on my phone which shows locations if I'm away somewhere else. Fully trained in how to use one (although as others have posted all you really need to do is connect it and follow the instructions).
 
Most companies over here, have multiple machines all over the buildings. The machine tells you what to do and won't shock someone if they don't need it.
 
billysielu said:
Nah it's a scam. The people who sell defibs have tricked tons of places into having defibs, yet nobody knows where they are or how to use them so it's pointless.
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Erm. I know how to use one (as will any adult Scouting member) and if you phone 999 they'll tell you the nearest location and code to unlock it.
 
It seems overkill to me to buy one. Unlike others have said, they do work, but are certainly not as they are shown in the movies.

The first and foremost important thing is to know how to correctly administer chest compressions.
Unless you're already trained in first aid, go and take a course in it first before considering the purchase.
It will be money better spent in the case of an emergency.
 
I have often wondered if a thick pair of rubber kitchen gloves and a mains cable would suffice. I am waiting for one of my family to have a heart attack to find out. Will let you know.
 
Minstadave said:
Gym membership. Basic life support training for family. Regular health checks. Dietitian.

There's quite a lot of low hanging fruit. A personal defib doesn't seem a prime prospect.

For one to be useful you'd need:

- to have a shockable cardiac arrest with it nearby
- someone to use it in a timely fashion
- for whatever made you have a cardiac arrest to be survivable

It's not a hugely likely series of events.
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I already

- Exercise daily (Gym before COVID)
- Am first aid trained (every 2 years at work)
- Push my GP for full bloods annually
- Eat very health. Limited junk 8-10 F&V daily. Calorie controlled diet

The above all are common sense to me. I’m shocked the majority don’t do the above. I’d quite like to not die any time soon lol

Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer in the UK. Cancers second. I’m assuming if so many of us will die of CV issues then heart attacks must be common...
 
Lakeland said:
Has anyone considered getting one or already have one for personal/family use?
They’re not exactly cheap but it doesn’t seem like the worst purchase one could make.
I spend a bit of time out in the sticks and I don’t live very close to a hospital. I’ve considered getting neighbours to chip in and have one as a shared device but that would mean not having access away from home.
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If you get one, get a good pair of heavy scissors to go with the defib and put them in the same container.
If someone collapses in cardiac arrest, then time is off the essence.
Having heavy duty scissors there to quickly cut off clothes can be important.
 
robfosters said:
I have a built in one
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I thought the OP was talking about this when I clicked.

The automated devices are very sophisticated these days and are also very easy to use. The reason they’re under a code lock is that I’m sure they’d fetch good money on eBay, but also it would be an easy mistake to make to get stuck into CPR without calling for backup from paramedics.
 
robj20 said:
We certify the Philips one for aircraft that's really easy to use even if you've never seen one before.
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I really rate Philips products, I have their cpap machine and it is amazing.

I was aware about not being able to use it on myself so it was more about using it on others and there being more chance of someone using it on me, e.g. if I got one I’d show my wife videos of how to use it.

I’ve been first aid trained for as long as I can remember and about a year ago I did an outdoor one that included supporting motorcyclists on/off road. I carry a fairly decent first aid kit wherever I go. One lives in my van, one in my work bag and another kept at home.

Part of the pull for getting one is when I’m out in the lakes or at remote locations where one would have huge potential benefits.

Also,I was about to spend £500 on a private number plate and this made me wonder what would be more important/useful!
 
Yucca said:
I already

- Exercise daily (Gym before COVID)
- Am first aid trained (every 2 years at work)
- Push my GP for full bloods annually
- Eat very health. Limited junk 8-10 F&V daily. Calorie controlled diet

The above all are common sense to me. I’m shocked the majority don’t do the above. I’d quite like to not die any time soon lol

Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer in the UK. Cancers second. I’m assuming if so many of us will die of CV issues then heart attacks must be common...
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Common sense isn't that common these days. Over 60% of the adult population is overweight/obese.
 
Heart Attack = "plumbing problem" (blockages , restricted flow)
Cardiac arrest = electrical problem with Heart
 
BowdonUK said:
It would be good if there was an updating map that showed the nearest defibrillators.
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In the UK there is a national database of defibs that emergency services have access to so they can guide you to nearest one
In the USA that have such an app of which you describe
 
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