First aid that has an implanted pacemaker (artificial pacemaker) or cardioverter defibrillator can save her life! How can you recognize such a person? She should have a green or blue bracelet on her wrist with information about a pacemaker or defibrillator. Find out how to give first aid to a person with a cardiac device who has passed out or fainted.
1. Check to see if the unconscious person has a green or blue bracelet and call 999 or 112.
When you see an unconscious person in the street with a blue bracelet with the words "I have a cardioverter defibrillator" on them or a green bracelet "I have a pacemaker" on them, immediately call the ambulance (999) or the emergency number (112) and tell them information that a patient with a cardiac implant needs help, and then follow the instructions of the dispatcher.
If you see the person with the bracelet described above sitting on the bench, they are conscious but feel unwell - offer your help. Ask what's wrong with her, and in the event of symptoms such as chest pains, dizziness, or feeling too slow or uneven, call an ambulance.
NOTE. People implanted with a defibrillator-cardioverter may sometimes experience discharges from the device as manifested by convulsions; a patient after a single shock usually does not require immediate medical attention, but the repeated shock situation should be evaluated by a qualified he althcare professional as soon as possible. In this case, calling the ambulance service can save this person's life.
2. Do not be afraid of damaging the pacemaker / cardioverter-defibrillator when compressing the chest.
Chest compressions are the most important element of resuscitation procedures and therefore should not give rise to doubts as to whether we will damage the implanted pacemaker or cardioverter, especially since there is no such risk. Therefore, from the point of view of resuscitation, it does not matter if the unconscious person has an implanted pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator, and the resuscitation of these patients should be the same as for people without an implant.cardiology.
3. During resuscitation you may feel a slight, harmless tingling of the skin
However, there may be occasions when a cardioverter-defibrillator delivers a shock during CPR. For the rescuer, this fact is not dangerous, but it may cause an unpleasant "tingling" feeling on the skin. You can protect yourself against this by wearing rubber / silicone gloves.
4. Resuscitation with an external defibrillator - important differences
People with a cardiac implant can also be resuscitated using external defibrillators. This also applies to automatic devices (AEDs), which are more and more common at airports, shops and offices, and made available for use by people without medical training.
However, in the case of patients with implanted devices, pay attention to significantdifferences in procedures .
The first and very important rule isAED pads location . One of them should be placed on the upper right side of the chest. It is important to ensure that there is no implant in the recommended area as the AED electrode should not be placed in its immediate vicinity as it may damage the implanted device.
The second difference concerns patients with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator. When the cardioverter defibrillator delivers the shock, the muscles contract rapidly and the patient's body convulses. If you notice a similar symptom while preparing for external defibrillation, wait 30 to 60 seconds. If the victim does not regain consciousness during this time and / or the device does not repeat the intervention, external defibrillation may be performed.
ImportantPeople with cardiac implants and control at the magnetic gate at the airport
At the airport, if you are a security officer and the passenger reports to you that he or she has a cardiac implant, or you see a blue or green bracelet on his wrist, please ask them to smoothly pass through the gate. The use of a metal detector for inspection is not recommended and the use of a detector on the front or back of the implant is prohibited. It is best to carry out checks by hand, without a metal detector. 7. In other institutions with magnetic gates, follow the same steps as for airport control.
In the store, when a person with a blue or green silicone bracelet walks by and the alarm goes off and you are a security guard, do not reluctantly treat them like a thief. Ask to show the implant card and perform additional checks if necessary, but without the detectormetals. Also, do not expose the patient to the presence of a magnetic field, as it may affect the operation of the device and cause negative he alth consequences for the patient.
The material was created as part of the action "Show your heart to the blue bracelet". More information at www.dobre-serce.pl.