Instructor/paramedic Sue Hogenkamp of Mapleton demonstrated use of a defibrillator on her model “Wellington” at the Alma Women’s Institute’s monthly meeting on Nov. 20, at the Alma Community Centre.
Using diagrams on a white board, Hogenkamp explained what happens inside the human body to someone who has suffered a heart attack.
“It’s important that everyone knows what’s happening with the heart in a situation like this. It helps with understanding the role a defibrillator plays,” Hogenkamp said.
The cumbersome paddles that are seen on many hospital television dramas are not part of a kit. Also, says Hogenkamp, the continual shocking of a patient is only done to add to the interest levels for television viewers. Many hospitals are switching to portable units due to their ease of use and cost savings.
“The defibrillator, once turned on, will talk the person using it through the defibrillation process. It really is a marvelous machine,” Hogenkamp explained.
She walked the audience through a step-by-step demonstration on how to use her training defibrillator. The pads must be placed above the right breast and below the left breast on an adult. On a child, one pad is placed on the front and one on the back of the child’s body. The defibrillator is capable of dialing down its current on a child. The skin must be bare, dry and free of excessive amounts of body hair to allow for attachment of pads. Each kit comes with disposable gloves, a razor, towel and scissors. Male or female, the skin must be clothing free. The scissors in the kit can cut through wires and heavy clothing. A pocket mask is placed on the victim to allow for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to be performed, if necessary. Once the patient is ready to be shocked the word “CLEAR” warns everyone to back away from the patient. Defibrillation can be done even if a person has a pacemaker. The only restriction with a pacemaker is the pads must not come in contact with the unit. A second demonstration was done using the Alma Community Centre’s defibrillator.
Hogenkamp emphasized the need for the patient to receive CPR for a two-minute interval after each shock the patient receives. It is vital to keep the heart quivering and in a shockable stage to ensure success. Calling 911 is also an important part of the procedure.
Defibrillators must be checked on a monthly basis as the pads have an expiration date. The Mapleton Fire Departments, Alma Community Centre, PMD arena, Drayton Theatre and Community Mennonite Fellowship Church all have defibrillators.
Mapleton Fire Chief Rick Richardson, reported more units will be placed in the township in the future.
Hogenkamp is available to speak to groups and offer training courses. She can be contacted at 519-848-6601 or by email at vitaltrainingservices@gmail.com.
