The Publisher
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Aug 24, 2011, 12:30 PM
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AED for boats
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Do you have an AED for your boat? You should… here’s why. By Scott Lehnkering
As with many boat owners, large or small, staying safe is usually at the forefront of everyone’s mind in keeping all on board safe.
I know first hand how vitally important it is having an AED (defibrillator) at your disposal in the event of a heart related emergency, particularly when you could be out at sea. I’ve seen numerous times how effective an AED is at re-starting an irregular heart beat in an instant on an unconscious victim. They are truly life savers.
The most amazing fact about these AED’s is there simplicity. These new portable units are completely self contained and will talk you through the whole process on what to do. They only have (2) buttons, an on/off button and a “shock” button. Anyone that’s ever been through a certified CPR course can easily use one of these devices. They’re extremely user friendly and only weigh about 6 - 10 lbs.
The most common question I receive from people is, “What if I attach the AED to the victim and they already have a heart rate? Is the AED going to deliver a shock anyways? The Answer: That’s impossible to ever happen. The only way for the AED to deliver a shock is for the unit to pick up a malfunction with the heart through the electrode pads. It then will talk to you and instruct you to push the shock button.
It’s what I like to call a “doctor in a box”. It’s really no different than being in the hospital and a machine guiding you step by step on what to do. This is truly a genius device. In fact, they’re no different than the ones you might see on a paramedic van. Cost several years ago was hovering around $3000. Fortunately prices on these medical devices have come down dramatically. You can now pick up a unit for around $1300, which is more than half the cost of what it once was.
In heart related incidences, there are virtually all kinds of emergency situations on a boat that could potentially occur that could stop a person’s heart in an instant. The following are examples:
- Man over board (hypothermia)
- Drowning
- Heat related injuries (exposure, etc…)
- A victim that’s been knocked unconscious
- Alcohol related incidences
- A individual going into Cardiac Arrest
With CPR (Cardio Pulmonary resuscitation), common CPR alone is only between 5-10 % effective in bringing a victim back to life during a heart related medical emergency.The purpose of CPR is to stop the dying process, essentially buying some time until an AED arrives. With use of an AED immediately, survival can be as high as a staggering 75%. When you’re out in the water, you don’t have that convenience of calling 911.
As with any medical type of safety product, you want to do your research to compare cost and durability, it’s important.
If you need assistance is determining which unit would be best for your needs, you may contact me directly @ scott@aheroforlife.com so I can lend some help.
Scott Lehnkering, an avid boater, is owner of a CPR training company in Southern CA.
W. Scott Lehnkering
Owner / Lead instructor - A.H.A. instructor
Mobile CPR Certification & training
www.aheroforlife.com
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