Hello Guys,

I was thinking about what happened with yalls friend this past weekend. Though it is a rare situation it can happen to anyone. It made me and the guys I go offshore with think, and we came up with a plan of our own. We are all throwing in our cash to purchase one of the Personal External Defibrillators. Both my highschool and college campuses have these little life savers all over the place if that situation arises.

An event happened at my highschool when I was a senior in high school were a Sophomore actually collapsed one day and they used the AED to save his life until the paramedics could arrive.

I just thought I would bring it up, they are not as expensive as I thought.

But what is too expensive when it could prevent an event like last weekend?

The best link I could find was, http://www.americanaed.com/

I'm definitely putting one of these boys in my cabin.

-Tyler

Great move Tyler...thanks for posting that link.

hats off to you for going the extra mile. However, although AED's are somewhat idiot proof, you and your regular crew need to look into receiving formal training on this machine. The red cross and most of their certified instructors can teach it. I can probably look into getting you some info if interested as I make arrangements for a CPR course for our board members.

Good point, I would definitely be interested in going through some extra training on how to actually use the machine. I'm also a bit rusty on my CPR. I will be looking for some updated information on the training sessions yall will be hosting.

It's very good to see that everyone is taking steps to better future situations.

My hats off to yall as well.

Tyler

The Formal CPR Training I have gone through has hands-on training with the AED. They are simple to operate, but you must be able to control the situation and let others know what step the machine is taking and to stand clear when the shock is delivered. We will be adding an AED to BillableOurs also.
Dave

The AED is a great idea especially for the commercial guys and for those who take crewmembers who may be at risk, or who are known to have prior coronary or rhythm problems.
Two things otherwise that can have lifesaving benefit are a simple aspirin and knowlege of CPR( as pointed out) CPR is often ineffectively performed because of reluctance to perform the breathing portion and because of prolonged interruption of compressions during the breathing effort. So-- it turns out that clearing the airway and beginning continuous compressions without delivery of breaths is effective and now a part of the current recs.

An ounce of prevention--- Guys 35 and over ,Take an aspirin (81 mgs is adequate) daily,unless contraindicated.
Do something of aerobic benefit at least 3 times per week to provide cardiac training and efficiency and to have an idea of your limitations
Strength training may make the day more enjoyable but is less protective in this regard
Deal with your risk factors:
Don't smoke -sorry, but it is the #1 risk factor
Control your blood pressure
control your cholesterol.
Ditto for Diabetes
The understanding and the management of these disorders has changed hugely in the past 10 years. The available medications are very effective in altering bad outcome risks.
Take care. Tight lines-- not coronaries. Bob B.