Thread by @DocRunner1

1/8 Use of defibrillators in the community. Is it worth it?

5 years ago I wasn't so convinced but now I've changed my mind. Here's why

A short Twitter thread....

#MedTwitter #TeamGP @rcgp @k8coleman24 @DrAbdulZubairu @Trisha_the_doc @irishayesha @Mummydoc1 @DrAmirKhanGP

2/8 I've been prompted to tweet about this after hearing some wonderful news today. A year ago @DrPaulaPowell1 and I assisted at a cardiac arrest on the beautiful but remote Isle of Lewis. David survived and posted a really moving video on FaceBook

https://twitter.com/DocRunner1/status/1273970819992096769

3/8 David's was the 3rd community cardiac arrest I have been involved with in the last 5 years

All 3 people required defibrillation (electric shock) and all 3 were conscious and talking by the time they left the scene 👍
But that's unusual....

4/8 What are the chances of surviving a community cardiac arrest? Sadly, they're pretty low:

🇬🇧 8.6%
🇺🇸 (Seattle) 20%
🇳🇱 (N Holland) 21%
🇳🇴 (Norway) 25% 🤔

Your best chances are if you are in "shockable" rhythm but that's only about 20% of cardiac arrests say @ResusCouncilUK

5/8 So what makes a difference to your chances?

@ResusCouncilUK say it's 4 things:

1. Early recognition and call for help
2 Early CPR
3 Early defibrillation
4 Post resuscitation care

resus.org.uk/publications/c…

6/8 In 🇬🇧CPR is only started in 48% of out of hospital cardiac arrests 🤔
Reasons cited for not starting CPR:

Failure to recognise cardiac arrest
Not knowing what to do
Fear of causing harm/being sued

Every minute without CPR +/- defibrillation, survival chances ⬇️by 7-10% 😲

7/8 So what can we do?

I guess there are 2 important things to consider:

1st ask youself where are the AEDs (defibs) in my area? Do we need more? My local council, @seftoncouncil were v helpful when I asked if we could site one in my local park
Have a conversation with yours

8/8 CPR. It's really worth learning how to do it. I know it's scary but what have you got to lose? If you do nothing, the person's dead. It can't get any worse than that!

#COVID19 has changed advice on CPR. This YouTube from @ResusCouncilUK is helpful;