Defibrillators are popping up all around us but would you have the confidence to step up and use one if you were faced with an emergency? In this new video filmed at Portishead Lido’s inaugural Water Safety Day, The South West Ambulance Service offers a step by step explanation of precisely when and how to use a defibrillator, showing how you could restart a heart and save a life.
VIDEO ON HOW TO USE A DEFIBRILLATOR
This informative demonstration includes a step-by-step guide to Basic Life Support, DR’s ABC and detailed explanation of how to use a defibrillator safely.
First the video explains how you should check for life-threatening injuries or conditions using the primary survey. If, like me, you worry that you wouldn’t remember the steps in an emergency, you can use the phrase DR’S ABC to help you remember what to look out for and to do. Make sure you call 999 straight away so there’s somebody knowledgable to talk you through all this as you’re doing it.
D – DANGER
R – RESPONSE
A – AIRWAY
B – BREATHING
C – CIRCULATION/CPR
Next comes a practical demonstration of how to use the defibrillator and administer a shock and CPR if required – don’t worry, the machine won’t let you give a shock if the patient doesn’t need it.
Theres a list of the eight Ps you need to look out for and instructions on what to do if faced with any of these: pacemaker, piercings, pooling, pendants, patches, perspiration, Playtex and people.
What should you do if the patient is pregnant or a child or baby? That’s explained too.
Hopefully I won’t find myself at a medical emergency, but if the need did arise, I feel much better equipped to deal with it having watched the original talk and watched it back a couple of times. If you have a few minutes to spare, you might find the video will make you feel more confident about using a defibrillator too.
Many thanks to Portishead Pool Community Trust, HM coastguard, RNLI, South West Ambulance Service and everyone else who helped put on such an informative and interesting day!
“Basic Life Support & Defibrillator demonstration” by South West Ambulance Service, filmed at Portishead Lido’s inaugural Water Safety Day 2016.
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