Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

I was just reading this article and got to thinking (yes I do sometimes), what happened to the AED's that were being purchased a couple of years ago to be placed around villages.
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/2014021 ... ually-work

I used to work for our local ambulance service (admin) and remember the successful outcome ratios for using Defibs and CPR even for paramedics was quite low so this article is no surprise. In cost benefit terms then Defibs may not be value for money.......except of course to the person whose life they save.

On cost benefit point. Early defibrilation is the key the sooner you can treat the more chance of success which is the mindset behind having localised AEDs. If you go to the UK you will now see them in supermarkets and stations, in the south you can see them in MacDonalds. That said not all "heart attacks" are treatable.

The ones that were bought for Esentepe area are still in place

Does every one in the area know where it is and what to do carrierbag? Has it been used?
The last I heard about Lapta area they were tied up in bureaucracy.

jonnie, early intervention is correct but not with defib. All other avenues must be followed before using traumatic intervention.

cyprusishome wrote:Does every one in the area know where it is and what to do carrierbag? Has it been used?
The last I heard about Lapta area they were tied up in bureaucracy.

jonnie, early intervention is correct but not with defib. All other avenues must be followed before using traumatic intervention.

When someone has suffered a heart attack assuming the heart is in fibrillation, early defibriliation is the key. An AED analyses the heart rhythm and prompts the users as to weather a shock is required. If the heart is not beating correctly the patient is in pretty much the worst state of health, at this point CPR would be given whilst waiting for the AED to arrive or be set up. It is the primary care for a non-breathing patient.

I think unless you are close to a base station the chances of survival are pretty slim by the time someone reaches the patient, unless there is an on call system.
Defibs are only of any use if like someone just mentioned, the heart is in fibrillation, unless you have drugs to stimulate the heart.
You can not start a blue heart unfortunately.
The best idea is to spend the money on training the ambulance crews to use drugs and training more first responders to do cpr, so at least the patient has a fighting chance of survival.

Jonnie is right - defibs are a brill tool when used appropriately and have saved countless lives. The problem is how they are accessed and maintained alongside folks being trained to use them. Don't know who oversees them in North Cyprus but hopefully they will not sit in cupboards somewhere gathering dust.
However general CPR training for all is a must - starting with teaching in schools, workplaces etc etc. It can be used as a first aid measure by all until more high tech care is available.

There are several around the Esentepe/Tatlisu area and the machine talks to you to tell you how to use it. I do not know if it has been used in an emergency.

If a heart attack victim is less than 1 hour away (the golden hour) from effective hospital help, the auto defib at least gives them a fighting chance. We live 35+kms from Girne (the nearest site likely to be able to help in such an instance) - what chance of being delivered to the hospital within the golden hour for people living in this area or even beyond, as in Tatlisu?

Sorry, delete 'less' at word 7 and, insert 'more'.

In my experience of these defib machines in public places they certainly give clear instructions for the user, and they are very clear. I used to have a wee laugh though in Scotland as the voice was always with an American accent. However, all that aside they are another chance for some person to have another chance at life or even recover - lots better than nothing at all, but do need to be accessible, maintained and the end user understanding how to use them.

The defibs in the Esentepe/Tatlisu area have easy to follow instuctions attached in both English and Turkish. They are all checked on a monthly basis to make sure they are in working order. They are in clearly marked boxes in the following locations: Outside wall of Pharmacy opposite Tungay Restaurant, On wall outside Esentepe Beliyde building, On wall at road entrance to Marina bar (formally Marina Bistro/Poppins), on wall at entrance to Sinya Restaurant, On wall outside Ne-Se restaurant (next to Metran supermarket).
Hope this helps.

I read this morning UK doctors are calling for more defib machines in public places. The statement included the phrase "they should be as common as fire extinguishers."