AEDs (Defibrillators) on Boats?

[Reelcommocean]

I am a first year medical student and avid fishermen. With all of the new studies being published on the advantages of having quick access to and AED for an individual suffering a heart attack, I am curious as to how many boats have them onboard. I see them in, of all places, hospital lobbies where crash carts are readily accessible but in areas where ambulance wait times are significantly longer, it seems you would be hard pressed to find one. In a situation where seconds really do mean the difference between life and death, I am interested to hear your opinions on this matter. I know there are a number of factors, cost probably being the largest. What do you all think?

[Proheat]

They are probably a good idea for offshore since a heart attack can happen at anytime. The crew would have to go through training on how to use it, but the knowledge on saving a life is priceless.

[Russell A. Jost]

I am a first year medical student and avid fishermen. With all of the new studies being published on the advantages of having quick access to and AED for an individual suffering a heart attack, I am curious as to how many boats have them onboard. I see them in, of all places, hospital lobbies where crash carts are readily accessible but in areas where ambulance wait times are significantly longer, it seems you would be hard pressed to find one. In a situation where seconds really do mean the difference between life and death, I am interested to hear your opinions on this matter. I know there are a number of factors, cost probably being the largest. What do you all think?

Good topic and a great question. Last August a quest on one of the boats on our dock passed away when he had a heart attack out at the Baltimore Canyon. If they had an AED on board maybe it would have turned out different.

[Charlie Wade]

It really should be part of the safety equipment on any charter boat. Just like an EPIRB, offshore distress signals, raft (where appropriate), survival suits, etc. Yeah, it's another $1500, but that's short money to save a life. I know when I did my USCG recertification last year for my master's ticket, AED training was part of the first aid course.

[tacklebuster]

we have one of the faster charter boats out of pirates cove that has one, most of the capts. that renewed our cpr stuff last year chose to take the extra 15 minutes to get certified for the AED's. Not much to it, the machine tells you what to do. With the big range of OI it might not save all the heart attack victims but one would make it worth it.

[heavy389]

Sounds like a good idea for head boats and charters!!!

[JMiner]

I just purchesed one for our boat. We take alot of customers fishing and there is no way to know what kind of shape they are in. A boat on our dock lost a guy to a heart attack this summer, the coast guard did a great job getting there but as you said the faster you can help the better. Whats 1500.00 when you can save a life.

[Reelcommocean]

They are probably a good idea for offshore since a heart attack can happen at anytime. The crew would have to go through training on how to use it, but the knowledge on saving a life is priceless.

The machines are extremely easy and training definitely wouldn't hurt but they have been designed so that even if you never learned how to use one, you could take a glimpse at the lamenated instruction card and easily figure it out. Pretty much entails placing 2 pads on the patient and pushing a button.

I think the inshore guys could benefit from it as well when there is as much as a 10% reduction in survival rate for every minute that passes without access to one.

Thanks for all the replies guys.

[Reelcommocean]

I agree completely that the benefits of even one use far outweigh the costs. I guess that's why I am surprised you don't see them on more boats.
A lot of guys are saying charters and headboats... how about the private boats? Definitely good to hear there are some out there on the water, but even the time to get the radio call and head over to the boat with the person in distress could take up too much of that precious time.

[Irish Mist]

You would think the number one issue to most people would be dollars, but theirs a second issue just as important, probably more so.. Yes, AED's are expensive and do save life but the other issue is one of extream danger.

If a person was to suffer a heart attack onboard a boat and in need of a AED. When the responders attempted to shock that person to bring him/her back to life they too can then become injured or killed by the same shock from the AED! In other words if the person receiving the shock was wet or on a damp or wet deck, boat, dock. The charge / shock will transfer from the AED to that person and then right on through to the person or people near him if the decks are damp or wet.

Right up until today I don't believe any of the smaller Coast Guard boats carry AED's because of that.

(Water and electric bad combination)