Groups travelling to remote areas might consider taking and using an AED / Defibrulator).
There are models on the market which are easy to use robust, small, lightweight and require minimal maintenance.
Before opting to take an AED, it is important to consider the chain of survival. In the event of a person suffering a cardiac arrest – starting CPR and using an AED is only useful if advanced cardiac life support and post resuscitation care is available within ???? minutes / hours.
• 1. Early access & recognition: being able to recognise someone is in cardiac arrest and getting assistance is the first step to helping them.
• 2. Early CPR: performing chest compressions can keep their heart going until a defibrillator arrives. Research has shown that CPR can double a person’s chances of survival.
• 3. Early defibrillation: for every minute the patient doesn’t have a defibrillator attached to their chest, their chances of survival reduce by 10%. We now know that early defibrillation can triple a person’s chances of survival.
• 4. Early advanced care: delivered by the Paramedics who arrive shortly after. If you start CPR within 2 minutes, place a defibrillator on their chest in four minutes and a paramedic arrives in 8, they have a 40% chance of survival.
http://www.cardiacsmart.nwas.nhs.uk/about-us/chain-of-survival/#.VsNxYyncvIU
