PM's & defibrillators

Hi All,
Last weekend had help someone who had passed out. No pulse no breathing etc but we got her going, thank goodness. However, it got me wondering can someone with a pacemaker have one of these portable defibrillators used on them in such a situation??
Seems obvious, but I haven't got a clue.
Lizzie

6 Comments

yes

by Tracey_E - 2013-03-01 07:03:06

How to use a portable defib on someone with a pacemaker is part of most cpr certification courses. It's ok to use it, just don't place the paddles directly over the pm. A person with a icd theoretically would never need one but same rules apply.

Great job jumping in to help!

Nice goin' Lizzie

by Grateful Heart - 2013-03-01 08:03:40

Good for you, you were a Guardian Angel!

One of my sons performed CPR on a man down on the street with no pulse. He worked on him until EMS arrived. He said it was such a great feeling to know he helped save someone...he was on cloud 9 for a week!

How wonderful for you!

Grateful Heart

safe

by golden_snitch - 2013-03-01 10:03:28

kudos, lizzie!
did you ever do a CPR course? i really need to refresh my memory, my course was 13 years ago.

they used a defibrillator (200 joule) last summer when i had a catheter ablation, and that did not do any damage to my pacemaker. so, i agree with tracey, it's perfectly safe.

inga

Inga

by Tracey_E - 2013-03-01 12:03:16

It's totally changed now, big changes just in the last year or two. I think mine is up this summer. As a Girl Scout leader, I'm required to keep both cpr and first aid it current.

Didn't read the manual?

by ElectricFrank - 2013-03-02 02:03:14

They are actually called de-fib-rillators and are intended to treat lying.

LOL

frank

:-)

by Lizzie - 2013-03-02 05:03:14

Lol Frank. Thanks everyone. The lady concerned last weekend is doing well.

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.