Motivation Monday - Using a Defibrillation Machine

Here's a follow up to my CPR training blog, which you can read here if you haven't already!

Today's blog will go into detail about how to use a defibrillation machine.

Again, because of the magic of television most people think a Defibrillation machine is used to "restart" a person's heart, I was one of these people. In fact, a defibrillation machine is not restarting the heart at all... its actually stopping the heart from beating incorrectly or shocking the heart back into a regular rhythm!

Nowadays most facilities do have one or two defibrillation machines on site just in case an emergency happens to take place! So its probably a good idea that you have the basic understanding of how one works!

There are some very important things to remember before using a defibrillation machine:

1. Make sure you and the injured person are dry. For example if you have just removed someone from a pool, remove all wet clothing from the area you are going to attach the defibrillation pads to and dry the area off (since water conducts electricity this could further injure the person).

2. Make sure to remove any metal from the person's chest, which means move aside any jewelry they are wearing or any other metal from the general area that you will be applying the defibrillation pads to (this also goes for underwire bras in woman).

Here are the general steps to using a defibrillation machine:

1. Check to see if the person is responsive, try to wake them up, yell at them, shake them, get their attention!

2. If they are not responsive call 911 or other emergency number, in your area, to make sure help is on the way!

3. Start CPR (See my blog on how to administer CPR). If the person is still unresponsive after you administer CPR for a minute or two prepare them for Defibrillation.

4. Prepare the person! If they are wet, dry them off, if they have hair on their chest make sure the area where you will be placing the pads are hair free (usually the Defibrillation machine will have a razor).

5. Turn on the machine! The machine will give you step by step instructions and help you thought the process!

6. Apply the pads! The pads have an adhesive on them so remember to remove the plastic backing from the pads. Apply one pad on the upper right side of the chest below the collarbone and the second pad below the left breast (see picture below). Again make sure it's applied to dry skin with no fabric or metal impeding the pads. If there is a piercing make sure the pads are about 1 inch away from the piercing!

1. Press the analyze button. If the pads are in the wrong position or if the machine detects an unshockable heart rhythm the machine will notify you and you will not be able to shock the patient! You don't have to worry about giving a shock to a person who's not in defib mode because the machine will not allow it! If the patient is not shock-able start CPR until emergency services arrive!

2. If the patient is "shock-able" make sure everyone around you is away from the patient. Also make sure you are not touching the patient, when everyone is clear press the shock button!

3. If the patient doesn't regain consciousness resume CPR (30 chest compressions and two breaths in for about 2 minutes). The machine will actually prompt you to start CPR! It will also tell you when 2 minutes has passed and remind you to check for a heart rhythm again and shock the patient if necessary!

4. Continue this process until help has arrived or person regains consciousness!

You can also click here to see the step by step instructions on how to use a defibrillation machine!

Once again I hope you never have to implement these steps but if you do you should be a little more confident using a Defibrillation machine if you need to!

Stay safe out there....

Simply Truly Jenny...