Defibrillator

[tearinghair]

Just been watching an item on the news about defibrillators. I have an Advance Decision in place, and would not want to be resuscitated if I had a heart attack in the street. But how would people know this, without opening my handbag and purse where I keep the basic information? Presumably they would be too busy following their instructions to spend time checking?

[woofgang]

you are right spungle, you don't have a choice....you MUST comply with someone's expressed wishes if you know what they are. You ideas and feelings, the people around you....all irrelevant.

[anneasquith]

No one outside of a medical facility is /should be deciding about whether to resuscitate or not.

[rowanwitch]

I have an advance directive but it is primarily based around the idea that after a prolonged or delayed resus attempt the person saved may not be the person you were before because of the risk of brain damage. Even in a witnessed arrest outside a hospital setting with rapid response the chances of success are still pretty low so I accept that risk at my current stage in life. Should I be in a position where other health issues make a continued life less desirable I would go with the tattoo option. That shows significant commitment to the decision.

[237SJ]

I haven`t been near a TV for several days but I heard on the radio today whilst driving that there is a campaign to get all of the defibs in the UK mapped so that the ambulance services can direct members of the public to the nearest one. I don`t know if the ambulance services would have access to DNR records of the patient. Does anyone know?

[woofgang]

under current circs, I doubt it because records are still mainly paper and not digital. I do know from personal experience that paramedics are under the same rules as everyone else, which is that they must attempt resus unless they know the patient wishes otherwise.

[tearinghair]

To be fair, you don't know my reasons for the decision and I don't propose to give them here. But I will follow the link for the necklace ( I don't like bracelets and anyway I take the point about it being visible more easily) and will probably get one. I do think training courses should encourage people to check if possible.

[237SJ]

I wouldn`t worry about it too much if I were you. The chances of you needing CPR and a defib in the street are probably quite remote.

[woofgang]

and sadly the chances of it's being effective are even more remote.

[237SJ]

6% I think. Depends how soon you find the casualty

[woofgang]

yup, also depends on the person's pre-existing health.

[Sqad]

I would have thought that 6% is very generous...more like 2-3%.