372
submitted 4 months ago by partybot@lemmy.ca to c/coolguides@lemmy.ca
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] norimee@lemmy.world 31 points 4 months ago

I want to add to #1

It's right, there has to be an electric activity for an electrical shock (a defibrillator) to work. But please do continue CPR with a flatline. It's harder, but there is a chance that emergency response staff can restart the heart with the right medication, but only if you didn't pause the circulation.

Sometimes you see in movies how someone is restarting the heart with a hit to the chest. Dont try this. Chances are you cause more damage than good. It is is a real maneuver called Precordial thump, but is only effective when you see the arrhythmia on the monitor and do it the very second of it happening. Outside of an ICU or monitored environment its not useful and can be quite harmful.

If a movie wants to be extra dramatic, there is the is the big ass adrenalin syringe right into the heart. Pulp fiction is one example. This is something that makes sense, when you watch a movie set in the 1950's or so. But it's not a practice anymore, because it causes more damage than do good. It's also nothing a normal person could do at home, because chances are nearly zero for you to hit the right spot. The heart is a fragile thing, you can't just stab it randomly.

Source: nurse am I.

[-] conditional_soup@lemm.ee 10 points 4 months ago

Precordial thumps getting dropped from the EMS scope made me sad (paramedic here). They have a lot of utility, especially for us because we're pretty much on top of the patient the whole ride, so we're generally going to notice when they code. The problem is that it's a lack of training. Most people weren't even asked to practice the technique, you just read about it and got a slap on the ass on the way out the door. I mean, can you imagine teaching CPR or intubation that way? It'd be a fucking disaster. Little wonder people were doing it wrong and causing harm.

Imo, too often the medical field's answer to "people are doing this wrong" is "fuck it, we're taking it away", when it should be "do more (effective) training".

[-] Theharpyeagle@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

For some reason it never occurred to me that chest compressions were actually to help pump blood. I guess I assumed it was just some magic that might start a heart up again.

[-] norimee@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago

The compressions are essential to make sure there is blood and therefore oxygen getting to the brain. Without it the brain is dead after a few minutes. Even if the heart restarts then, the patient is brain damaged.

I'm glad you know now. Maybe you'll save someone's life with that knowledge now.

this post was submitted on 02 Aug 2024
372 points (100.0% liked)

Cool Guides

4732 readers
1 users here now

Rules for Posting Guides on Our Community

1. Defining a Guide Guides are comprehensive reference materials, how-tos, or comparison tables. A guide must be well-organized both in content and layout. Information should be easily accessible without unnecessary navigation. Guides can include flowcharts, step-by-step instructions, or visual references that compare different elements side by side.

2. Infographic Guidelines Infographics are permitted if they are educational and informative. They should aim to convey complex information visually and clearly. However, infographics that primarily serve as visual essays without structured guidance will be subject to removal.

3. Grey Area Moderators may use discretion when deciding to remove posts. If in doubt, message us or use downvotes for content you find inappropriate.

4. Source Attribution If you know the original source of a guide, share it in the comments to credit the creators.

5. Diverse Content To keep our community engaging, avoid saturating the feed with similar topics. Excessive posts on a single topic may be moderated to maintain diversity.

6. Verify in Comments Always check the comments for additional insights or corrections. Moderators rely on community expertise for accuracy.

Community Guidelines

By following these rules, we can maintain a diverse and informative community. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to the moderators. Thank you for contributing responsibly!

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS