A defibrillator is a medical device used to stop the heart in hope that heart will start again with rhythmic contraptions. It consists of a central unit and a set of two electrodes. The central unit provides a source of power and control. The two electrodes are placed directly on or in the body of patient. The electrodes give electric shocks to body.
This technique is used to treat ventricular tachycardia. The electric shock is used to induce the heart to return rhythmic contractions using its own natural pacemaker cells. This instrument forms a part of Active Cardiac Life Support.
Heart Defibrillation was invented in 1899 by Prevost and Batelli. They were two Italian physiologists who pointed out the benefits of electric shocks in a state of cardiac shock. They had experimentally proved that electric shocks could convert ventricular fibrillation to sinus rhythms in dogs. Beck and company first applied this technique to humans and saved a life in 1947.
Once Portable Defibrillation was used, in 1960, in ambulances, more and more human lives were saved. This development was pioneered by Prof. Frank Pantridge in Belfast.
An accident in Australia, brought defibrillators in large numbers in the ambulances. Media Mogul Kerry Pecker had a heart attack and was saved by an ambulance carrying a heart defibrillator. After this incident, he donated a huge sum on money to equip ambulances with this instrument. The device is called Packer Whacker in Australia now and all ambulances in New South Wales carry this instrument.
Heart Defibrillation can only be used by a trained person as it is dangerous for both patient and the administrator. The defibrillator might cause skin burns or a shock might be felt by the administrator if he/she touches patient’s body at wrong time.
If you have patient at home you can buy the heart defibrillator and then get trained. This will be extremely helpful when any emergency situation arises. If you wish to purchase a unit for home use, there are lots of sites that sell these units online, as well. When you buy the units consider the age of patient as the pad size will depend on it. For a child you will need to use smaller pad while an adult use a large pad.
Although some practical training is essential, the machine comes with pre recorded instruction as well. The step by step process will guide you in case there are any difficulties.
The machine can itself judge whether the patient needs it or not. As soon as a pad is placed, it will judge the heart beat, and see if shock is needed or not. If it is not needed, no shock will be administered so there is nothing to be afraid of while using it on the patient.
When a cardiac arrest happens, a small delay might be dangerous. Keeping a fibrillater machine might give life to the patient.
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