Did you know between 2010 and 2020, the most common illnesses, like simple flu, led to 9 million cases? Scary right!
However, life-threatening diseases hundreds of years ago, like flu or headache, are now nothing but mundane diseases. While there is no doubt that scientific advancement has saved lives, the industry is still a work in progress.
But this doesn’t mean that it isn’t offering loopholes or devices that can reduce the risk of death. One of these modern-day devices is the Defibrillator.
Keep reading to find out more about this device and its abundant advantages.
What Is A Defibrillator?
Just like many other medical devices, a defibrillator is also a piece of tech that aids in helping those patients that have been affected by Cardiac Arrest.
If you don’t know what a cardiac arrest is, it refers to the case when your heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body leading to starvation of oxygen within your body, including the brain.
When talking about the importance of a defibrillator, it can be judged by the fact that if it is not used in an incident of cardiac arrest, the chances of survival for the affected patient reduce by 10%.
A defibrillator’s main job is to administer electric shocks to the heart so that the person in question can get back to their normal rhythm. When the electric shocks are given to the patient, the shock leads to depolarization of the heart.
This phenomenon was introduced by the famous psychologists Prevost and Batelli, claiming that the electrical charges lead to the triggering of ventricular fibrillation.
What Are The Advantages Of Using a Defibrillator
The main advantage of a defibrillator is that it drastically minimizes the risk of death due to cardiac arrest. It does this by terminating ventricular arrhythmias.
As mentioned earlier, defibrillators can save precious time, allowing the doctors to enhance their survival chances. Moreover, on-site defibrillators tend to do the job until medical service arrives at the spot.
Moreover, when faced with a life and death situation, everyone knows that every second counts.
Cardiac Arrest has led to many deaths just because the patient was not to be treated until they reached the hospital. This is extremely endangering to the patients’ lives. There’s no space for gaps, mistakes, or delays. And a defibrillator will help you avoid all these mistakes.
Defibrillators are harmless as they come with a 0.04% risk of failure. They prove to be great secondary prevention devices.
Therefore, there’s no denying that defibrillators will be there for you when no one else is there. And they for sure are great at saving lives. What more does one need, right?
The Different Types Of Defibrillators
Defibrillators come in 3 distinctive types: Automated External Defibrillators ( AEDs), Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators ( ICDs), and Wearable Defibrillators.
Starting with AEDs, this type of defibrillator is the most common and low-maintenance one. It is usually used by ordinary people and is generally used alongside CPR and other life support tactics.
AEDs are found in the most basic of all places like schools, offices, entertainment places, and many other public places. AEDs come with features that automatically fix an abnormally high heart rate or abnormal heart rhythms.
The next form of Defibrillator is ICD, which is a little bit more complex when compared to AEDs. An ICD will be, with the help of surgery, installed into a patient’s chest.
This means that the patient will be protected from the risk of sudden death due to an unforeseen cardiac arrest. This does not mean that everyone should get it inserted. Only those who have previously been victims of SAC or any other medical condition that puts them at risk need to get an ICD.
A wearable defibrillator is used by patients that are not suitable candidates for ICD. Not only does such a defibrillator offers defibrillation support, but it will also do all the tracking.
How To Use a Defibrillator — Step-by-Step Guide
Now that we know when you should use a defibrillator, let’s look at how to use it. It’s not rocket science, but it isn’t a piece of cake either. After all, it’s a scientific device. It needs to be handled with utmost care. Here are the following steps to follow to work with a defibrillator.
- Press the green button, and this will make sure that the defibrillator is on.
- Next in line, you have to peel off the sticky pads.
- Once this is done, attach these pads to the patient’s skin on each side of the chest. Take a look at the picture attached to the defibrillator. It will help.
- Stop whatever you’re doing once the pads are on the patient’s body, including the CPR. Now the defibrillator will evaluate the heart rhythm of the patient.
- If the defibrillator indicates a shock is needed, give a patient a shock. If not, then don’t. If the defibrillator is automatic, it will automatically give the patient a shock.
- During the shock process, don’t touch the patient.
- The defibrillator will stop and tell you whether there’s a need for CPR or not.
- Continue with the compressions unless the defibrillator asks you to halt or the patient gains some consciousness.
Why Do You Need a Defibrillator — Where To Get It?
Disruption of the heartbeat can occur at any moment, in the school, office, or even at your home. Usually, all public places have a defibrillator because it has become a crucial need because of the rising rate of Sudden Cardiac Arrests.
Therefore, due to the alarmingly high rate of such incidents, it wouldn’t hurt to have an AED in your office, home, or any other public area that you own.
You can buy these Defibrillators from literally anywhere nowadays. Nowadays, it is easier to get your hands on such a device, especially an AED, which doesn’t require a prescription. You can browse through the different stores that are available online.
Visit AKW Medical and Get a Brand New Defibrillator!
Owning a defibrillator is now a modern-day need. And as mentioned earlier, with the rate of SAC high and booming, the risk of heart failure is higher than ever.
Therefore place an order with AKW Medical. After all, it’s a matter of life and death, not only for you but also for your loved ones.
