CPR obsolete?

[RgrF]

Exactly what would you describe as the Heart Associations racket?

[Black]

Doc wrote:
[quote=Black]
I think you mean with an electronic defibrillator?

Yes.

Black wrote:
PSA: Many of these are now at the age where their batteries no longer hold a charge. If you have access to one or happen to carry one or know of one in your workplace, make sure it gets checked and still powers up.
A family member had a heart attack and was lucky enough that an off-duty paramedic happened to be right there-- however when he retrieved the AED from his trunk he found it dead.

Nevertheless, there are various cities around the country where they have defibrillators located in the corridors of public buildings -- and often in private buildings and on street corners -- and they're finding that making them available to the public in this fashion increases the survival rate of sudden heart attack victims by 2-3 times.

I would not be surprised if 20 years from now almost every state had laws mandating them in every building over a certain size and new cars touted them as luxury features.
I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with. Yes, they've proven to be the best chance for a good outcome. All I said was that they need to be checked to assure they still power up. The time wasted running to get a defibrillator only to find it's dead can better be used for compressions.

[GeneL]

Thanks for posting that link, RgrF.

I've sent it to my friends and relatives.

GeneL

[volcs0]

Two things I learned as a resident about responding to a code:

1. The very most important thing above all else is to call for help (911, etc.). Secure the scene and make sure someone is calling 911 - if there is no one around, then you do it.

2. If you don't break a rib or two, you aren't doing it right.

[the_poochies]

I've been certified in the American Red Cross CPR for a few years and we are trained to use defibrilators. Modern day equipment is very easy to use...far easier than remembering CPR. The defibrilator even speaks to you and instructs you where to place the pads, etc.

[Seacrest]

I think you're confusing it with the CRT.

[Mike V]

In the First Aid courses down here they teach that the breathing is to increase the Carbon Dioxide level in the patient to retrigger their breathing reflex.