Medical Equipment AED Onboard

[Kenomac]

Since I'm once again working in the Medical biz as an RN, it occurred to me that while out cruising the Med, we're usually too far from the reach of emergency medical personnel if and when the need arises, therefore... we need to be self sufficient. So I recently purchased a Cardiac Science AED Powerheart G3 just in case. The two of us and our guests aren't getting any younger, and with scuba equipment onboard along with power tools and the other many ways to hurt ourselves, it seemed like a good investment and addition to our medical equipment.

If someone's heart stops, in most cases CPR alone only works on TV or in the movies... it usually requires an electrical jump start in real life to revive someone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfIBIW4vgCQ

[Tayana42]

I have a friend who is an ER nurse and is also buying one for her boat before going cruising. She says she would feel horrible knowing how to use one and not having one if needed. She says anyone can use one and thinks all cruisers should have one.

I wonder what actually happens though if you are more than a day from emergency room services. What is the prognosis in a cruising situation?


S/V B'Shert

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Tayana42

I wonder what actually happens though if you are more than a day from emergency room services. What is the prognosis in a cruising situation?

A better chance of saving a life than if you don't have an AED; and definitely a better prognosis than certain death.

See this post for more information

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1755479

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Since I'm once again working in the Medical biz as an RN, it occurred to me that while out cruising the Med, we're usually too far from the reach of emergency medical personnel if and when the need arises, therefore... we need to be self sufficient. So I recently purchased a Cardiac Science AED Powerheart G3 just in case. The two of us and our guests aren't getting any younger, and with scuba equipment onboard along with power tools and the other many ways to hurt ourselves, it seemed like a good investment and addition to our medical equipment.

If someone's heart stops, in most cases CPR alone only works on TV or in the movies... it usually requires an electrical jump start in real life to revive someone.

I think that's a great idea!


Was that one significantly better or cheaper than others, or are they pretty much all very similar?

[Kenomac]

Believe it or not... I purchased ours brand new on ebay for around $250. So I'd say the price range is between $250-$1600 depending on the age of the unit and how much instruction and automation is wanted. The more expensive units will even give CPR instructions during the actual emergency along with administering the shocks.

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Believe it or not... I purchased ours brand new on ebay for around $250. So I'd say the price range is between $250-$1600 depending on the age of the unit and how much instruction and automation is wanted. The more expensive units will even give CPR instructions during the actual emergency along with administering the shocks.

That's an amazing price! I thought they all started at over $1,000! That's very affordable!

[redsky49]

As an emergency first responder I have trained in their use. Dumfounded to hear they are only $250!

Thanks for the post.

[Kenomac]

I was very patient and waited for the Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 model at the right price. Was first considering a used model which would require battery replacement for $185 bringing the total price to around $485. But the patience paid off, and I found the new one for $250.

[robert sailor]

I'm much younger and healthier than you Ken but even though I'm in such superb condition I still carry an AED onboard but that price, yikes thats a good deal. Carla tells me ours gives her voice instructions and is sort of automatic although our cost a couple of years ago was a little over a grand.

[Paul L]

Have you looked at the odds of an AED applied in a remote situation without easy access to an ER and follow on drugs in the next hour or so? It is exceeding unlikely after the patient gets to the delayed hospital that they will walk out with their mental capacities.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Have you looked at the odds of an AED applied in a remote situation without easy access to an ER and follow on drugs in the next hour or so? It is exceeding unlikely after the patient gets to the delayed hospital that they will walk out with their mental capacities.

So.... you're suggesting that it's useless to even try to save someone's life? Cardiac stoppage can also be caused by accidents, electrical shock and drowning; these sorts of mishaps don't require immediate ER follow up if you can get the heart started again.

I believe what you're referring to is someone experiencing a heart attack which includes death to a portion of the cardiac muscle... where the person requires more than what just an AED can provide, and even in the best of situations, there's a very low probability of survival.


In my view, some chance is better than no chance of survival.

[Tayana42]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Have you looked at the odds of an AED applied in a remote situation without easy access to an ER and follow on drugs in the next hour or so? It is exceeding unlikely after the patient gets to the delayed hospital that they will walk out with their mental capacities.

That is what I was asking about.


S/V B'Shert

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Tayana42

That is what I was asking about.


S/V B'Shert

Following a true heart attack where a large enough portion of the cardiac muscle is damaged or has died, very few if any people can survive this situation... only in the movies. But cardiac stoppage due to an accident, arrhythmia, electrical shock, drowning etc., really in most cases just requires CPR, artificial respiration and a jump start... as long as the heart has not been damaged.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

So.... you're suggesting that it's useless to even try to save someone's life? Cardiac stoppage can also be caused by accidents, electrical shock and drowning; these sorts of mishaps don't require immediate ER follow up if you can get the heart started again.

I believe what you're referring to is someone experiencing a heart attack which includes death to a portion of the cardiac muscle... where the person requires more than what just an AED can provide, and even in the best of situations, there's a very low probability of survival.


In my view, some chance is better than no chance of survival.

Last time this question came up I asked my daughter who is an EM doctor her opinion. In the case of serious MI resulting in heart stoppage, if you aren't within very close reach of an ER then even if you can restart the heart with an AED the odds of dying anyway are pretty much 100%.

Read the same opinion in an article by an expert in wilderness medicine. Their recommendation was to spend your time and resources in other areas of medical assistance.

In the case of heart stoppage due to electric shock, drowning or other trauma that may be entirely different. I didn't ask that question but will.

[Prairie Chicken]

What are the power requirements Ken? How often does it need to be charged, etc?

I'd been thinking about investing in the same thing but had no idea of the costs.