Guest Speaker is Leigh Munro, speaking about Defibrillators
Leigh and his wife Heather arrived in Alexandra in 1988 to take up teaching roles at Taggerty and Alexandra respectively before joining the ambulance service.
Heather has left teaching and is now a fulltime paramedic.
Leigh started as a volunteer with ADASS (Alexandra and District Ambulance Service) and transferred to Ambulance Victoria (AV) , initially as an Ambulance Community Response Officer or First Responder where he served our community for 23 years. He stopped working in acute response when the required skill levels intensified and switched to teaching First Aid in workplaces such as Council and schools.
Anyone can use an AED (automated electronic defibrillator).
If you encounter someone who has stopped breathing, first assess the situation for any dangers, then commence chest compressions as soon as possible while help is sought from 000 or 112.
The cycle is 30 compressions to 2 breaths, but mouth to mouth is not expected-use a mask if available. Clear the patient's airway of blood, vomit, broken teeth before commencing compressions.
Maintaining compressions is essential. If the brain is deprived of oxygenated blood for longer than 6-7 minutes brain tissue starts to die. Swap with someone else if tiring.
Familiarise yourself with where AED's are located eg at Foodworks inside front door, the library, golf club, Fawcett Hall to name a few. 000 operator will advise where the closest registered AED can be found.
Follow the spoken instructions from the AED unit and operator while staying on the line.
If patient is in cardiac arrest, the heart has stopped beating.
Applying a shock may restart heartbeat and breathing. If breathing restarts, calm the patient, and put in recovery position to protect airway.
The machine will not deliver a shock if the patient is in asystole, but you should continue CPR until paramedics arrive, or the first aider is exhausted. (Paramedics swap over every 2 minutes when doing compressions).
If a mask is not available, continue with compressions at rate of 100-120/minute, depth 5cm for an adult patient.
Ensure that patient's skin is dry before attaching defibrillator pads, and that connecting cable is not under the pad.
Do not apply pads over implanted pacemaker (usually but not always near left collarbone.
If the patient has a significant bleeding wound, locate the source and apply pressure bandage before starting CPR (reduces blood loss).
Once CPR has been started, do not stop.
Every minute of delay in starting CPR decreases the chance of recovery by 10%, so a 10 minute delay = 0% chance of recovery.
Batteries in the units last about 5 years, and cost $300 to replace. Pads have a life of about 12 months.
Units cost about $1500 (down from about $3K previously). If your community group or business purchases a unit, ensure that it is registered with 000. This assists GoodSam volunteers in the area to respond effectively
Do not be afraid to use the AED units. It is better to do SOMETHING, than to do NOTHING.
Service Above Self
ALEXANDRA, VIC 3714
Australia