Originally Posted by
stagger
So they are not helpful in all cardiac emergencies.
The defibrillators installed on aircraft and in other public places are automated - they actually diagnose the problem and decide whether to administer a shock. So the electrodes are attached for all cardiac emergencies - and the unit decides whether it's the sort of problem where a shock would help.
Absolutely correct. The defibrillators on board BA planes actually tell you whether a shock is "advised" or not. If not, it asks you to check for pulse, and if you do not find any pulse to start CPR. The shock is only advised if some cardiac electrical activity, however weak or irregular, is found. It can only restore a heart in fibrillation, it cannot start it beating again if it has stopped beating. At this point CPR is the only option which is
just to keep the blood going around and some oxygen into the system.
Perkin is also correct in what he says. Unfortunately of all the people who have required the use of the defibrillator on BA flights over the last few years only a very small number recovered but, according to our AVMed trainers, only one if them was still alive after a year. That means that the others had survived the crisis at that time but died of complications later on.
It's very sad, but unfortunately happens and we do think that even for that only person who is still alive nowadays it's worth trying, and it's worth carrying them on all the planes and training 15,000 cabin crew every year to use them. There's no price for life!
FBW