How to Use External Defibrillator Paddles

Manual defibrillation is an important resuscitation technique for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Chances of survival increase by 35 to 45 percent when electrical energy reaches the heart within five to seven minutes. Controlled electrical shocks convert life-threatening rhythms if applied in time. Trained personnel and professionals correct extremely rapid heat beats by applying external defibrillator paddles to the patient. Normal pumping of the blood returns to the heart as electricity flows through the electronic device.

Things You'll Need

• Defibrillator paddles
• Conductive pads
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor

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Instructions

• 1

  Monitor the patient on the electrocardiograph monitor to check heart activity. Check ECG strips for physical motion of the heart chambers. Administer a brief electrical shock with defibrillator paddles when the heart's rhythm is quivering.

• 2

  Expose and dry the chest of the victim. Remove any jewelry from the chest area.

• 3

  Place the right sternal paddle vertically below the right collarbone. Place the left apical paddle vertically in line with the left armpit, level with the lower ribs.

• 4

  Ask personnel to step back from the patient to ensure that no one touches him while electricity is flowing through the body.

• 5

  Apply firm pressure with defibrillator paddles to the patient's chest. Keep correct paddle position. Turn on the defibrillator paddles to connect with the ECG monitor. The paddles are programmed to work with the ECG to shock at the correct voltage and timing.

• 6

  Check monitor for normal heart rhythm. Stop if the shock gets the required result.

• 7

  Repeat the process again if the ECG remains the same. Stop the procedure if the heart does not respond on the second try or if the blood stops pumping altogether.