Login
You're viewing the dmv.community public feed.
  • RolloTreadwayRolloTreadway@beige.party
    Oct 16, 2026, 1:16 PM

    LB: I want everyone to know - and please tell everyone! - that it is better to use the public defibrillator in *every* situation.

    If you get the defib, and the patient's condition isn't suitable, either the machine itself or the emergency call handler will tell you.

    But if you're ever unsure about whether you should use the public defib or not, the answer is YES. Every. Single. Time.

    And if you're unsure about whether you're capable of using one: YES. You are. They're made so that anyone can use them.

    It is not possible to make the situation worse. You can't do anything wrong. Every thing you try to do for a person having a cardiac arrest is better than not doing it.

    💬 5🔄 53⭐ 0

Replies

  • Iris Young (he/they/she) (PhD)iris@neuromatch.social
    Oct 16, 2026, 1:35 PM

    @RolloTreadway relevant context depending on where you're located: in the US, the Good Samaritan laws protect you partly, but you can still be sued if the person you try to save is a particularly huge asshole and sufficiently wealthy, and you fuck up somehow.

    In most of the rest of the world there is no such risk, and many places (I know this is true for Germany), you can be liable if you don't intervene to save someone's life when you could have. You are not liable for anything if you try to save their life and fail. Don't claim any medical training you don't have, and you're safe. You're still qualified to use an AED.

    💬 1🔄 1⭐ 6
  • 💬 0🔄 1⭐ 0
  • szakibszakib@freeradical.zone
    Oct 16, 2026, 3:40 PM

    @RolloTreadway Yes and:
    - They monitor the patient's heart and the first responders read the data when they arrive.
    - They will never deliver a shock when it is not the time to deliver one.

    💬 0🔄 0⭐ 2
  • Natashanusher@mastodon.scot
    Oct 16, 2026, 4:38 PM

    @RolloTreadway And if you call 999, call handlers will talk you through the whole process, from the code to access the defib, to how to use it and do CPR. They are made for anyone to use, and in fact are actually easier if you have never used one as you don’t second guess how to.

    💬 1🔄 4⭐ 10
  • 💬 0🔄 0⭐ 0
  • Debbiedebbie@mendeddrum.org
    Oct 16, 2026, 8:25 PM

    @RolloTreadway

    also in the UK there are regular and mainly free events to learn basic first aid and how to use them the defibs. The defibs to tell you how to do absolutely everything.

    Really useful experience and some things I did not think of. They gave out a leaftlet afterwards.

    Advice if someone collapses or you find someone on the floor.

    1. Ensure the scene is safe if unsure leave and call the emergency services (I never thought about this, except when I used to work in a lab with huge nitrogen gas dewers )
    2. Talk to the casualty in both ears and tap them, but don't shake, to try and get a response. We were unofficially suggested an ear pinch
    3. If casualty is not responsive, shout for help try and get others to support you, call emergency services put on loud speaker and continue.
    4. Check airwaves - Open airways by lifting the persons chin and tilting their head back.
    5. Check breathing - Look at chest for 10 seconds to see if the chest is moving. If not
    6. Compressions 2 per second whilst someone goes to get the nearest defibrillator - in the UK they should be able to direct you. (Compressions are a proper workout so ideally have others to take turn. Place both hands together in the center of the chest, keep your arms lock straight and use your whole upper body to apply a strong, quick, compression, 2 per second.
    7. When defib turns up open the case and follow the instructions. It will monitor the patient and tell you exactly what to do. (It will also tell you when to restart compressions)

    Definitely take the training if offered. I felt a lot more confident afterwards, especially how much force is needed for the compressions. I didn't realise how much was needed.

    💬 0🔄 1⭐ 0
  • ℂ𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕖rogue_cells@chaos.social
    Oct 17, 2026, 8:24 AM

    @RolloTreadway AED's are absolutely idiot proof. They tell you with a robot voice step-by-step what to do, and there are pictures EVERYWHERE on the machine that show you for example in what position to glue the patches to the patients chest, etc.

    At one point, it might then tell you to press the big flashy shock button to defibrillate.

    But don't forget to do chest compressions. They are the MOST important part and should be started IMMEDIATELY if someone is not breathing. The AED is secondary.

    💬 0🔄 1⭐ 6