Another learning curve for us - all about defibrillators
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (338625)
Rockingham, Australia
February 18, 2024 6:17am CST
On Saturday morning, we attended a very informative, two-hour First Aid clinic at our clubrooms. We were taught how to do compressions on adult and toddler dummies but what I really wanted to share most was all about the defibrillator. There is one near the door of the clubhouse but to many of us, it’s quite a scary thing. However, after playing with some teaching kits, we found it was reasonably simple to use.
The unit talks you through each step. There are two pads that you need to place on the patient. You can see them in the photo. Each pad has a diagram of where to place it. After connecting the cords to the pads, a light pulsates as it charges. You’re then told to stand back from the body while the shock is administered. You’re then told to recommence compressions.
It’s a very smart piece of equipment and won’t give the patient a shock unless it detects that the patient’s heart has stopped. So, all in all, we all felt much more comfortable about our ability to use this machine should we ever need to.
16 people like this
17 responses
@JudyEv (338625)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb
@LadyDuck I have heard this but I'd forgotten it. Even opening up the kit was strange but you lifted out the red power pack, pushed the button and it told you to take the pads out of their packets and then you just kept on doing what you were told!! 
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
19 Feb
@JudyEv "it's on the cards" - Is this an idiomatic expression? I've never seen it before in the many years I've read English texts. Maybe it's an Australian expression?
---
No, it's not Aussie English. I've just found this:
Definition of on the cards in the Idioms Dictionary by The Free Dictionary
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160483)
• United States
18 Feb
I have had the classes but no hands on practice. Hubby's pacemaker is a pacemaker/defibrillator.So I would not need it for him. He needs to learn about one for me.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (338625)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb
I'm glad I did it. I thought it would be hugely complicated but it's not at all.
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
18 Feb
It is a great machine and has saved many lives. They have them al over the place now so it is good to learn how to use one if ever put in that situation. I took the course a few years back. I need to go for a refresher course soon.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
18 Feb
@JudyEv i it is a good thing to learn for sure
2 people like this
@thedevilinme (4099)
• Northampton, England
18 Feb
6% chance of saving someone with those without back up
2 people like this
@rsa101 (38126)
• Philippines
19 Feb
a highly useful skill and understanding of what to learn there. When you encounter such emergencies, I suppose it will come in quite handy. However, I suppose practicing it on a real person would not be ideal. You can use it without fear when necessary, which is a positive aspect of this.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (179699)
• United States
18 Feb
I think everyone should know how to use those. Fortunately, they seem pretty simple.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (67356)
• United States
18 Feb
They have become very commonplace in the U.S., too. We’ve had teenagers have “heart attacks” (or whatever the problem was) playing sports in high school, so I’m glad that they’re being put in public places. VERY happy that you’re getting training on it, too!
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (105230)
• Marion, Ohio
18 Feb
They are getting more common so it's good to know how to use it.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (176652)
• United States
19 Feb
That's good that it won't shock unless it detects that the heart has stopped. That's good that they have that equipment there. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@Beestring (14468)
• Hong Kong
18 Feb
It's not common here to have defibrillator in public places. In any case, good to know how to use it.
1 person likes this
