The onset of the portable defibrillator has single-handedly
taken the life saving measures of the cardiac defibrillator out
of the exclusive domain of the emergency room, and into the
hands of a general public now able to help fight the tragedy of
death by sudden cardiac arrest.
A defibrillator is a device developed to combat cardiac arrest
or heart attack brought on by a fibrillation or irregular heart
rhythm. This irregularity causes the heart to stop receiving
enough blood and can result in sudden death if not treated
properly.
The defibrillator delivers small electronic shocks to the heart
designed to stimulate a return to a more manageable rate and
rhythm. Specifically, an electric current is channel through the
body into the heart via electrodes or paddles placed on the
chest. The current causes the heart muscle to spasm or jolt, and
hopefully ends any fibrillation threatening blow flow.
In years past the use of a heart defibrillator was place solely
in the hand of heart physicians and emergency technicians. The
bulky and difficult to use device was dangerous in the hands of
anyone but a trained professional, and they typically were not
seen outside of a hospital or medical setting. But with the
development of smaller, easier to use, portable defibrillators,
regular citizens can be called upon to be lifesavers.
These automated, portable defibrillators take much of the risk
associated with their use by regular people. Most importantly,
they come with the ability to assess whether or not the patient
in question even needs an electric current, and if he or she
does, it pre-determines the wattage or power level. A person
cannot override the determination of the computer, so the
potential for misuse is minimal.
In addition, the light weight and portable nature of the last
defibrillators makes them perfect for storage and use at any
number of public venues including schools, gate communities,
airports and sporting events.
Zoll, one of the most well known makers of portable
defibrillator products, have devices that make the life saving
procedure easy, even for a person with little to no medical
training or background.
The latest Zoll models specifically designed for public access
are no bigger than a laptop computer and possess fully automated
controls and instructions including voice prompts. They
automatically detect what treatment, if any, is needed for the
patient and give specific, step-by-step instructions on how to
give the proper care. Minimally trained laypersons like security
guards, flight attendants and office managers can use the
portable defibrillator to potentially stave off death by cardiac
arrest, or at least care for the patient until proper medical
attention can be provided.
Despite some debate among experts regarding the benefits of a
portable defibrillator in the home, there is no denying the
advantage of increased access to life saving measures for
cardiac arrest victims outside of the hospital setting. With
nearly a million Americans dying each year as a result of
cardiovascular disease, any measures that give a fighting chance
to victims of sudden heart failure has to be regarded as a good
thing.
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