Hands-On Defibrillation

[Joe Young, DO]

We all know that during cardiac arrest, early defibrillation and good chest compressions are the only things shown to increase chances of survival.

Did you know...that as long as you are using a biphasic defibrillator, the pads are placed anterior to posterior, and you are wearing gloves, that you can shock a patient while touching the patient and you won't get zapped? Anyone try this?

Lloyd, et al. Hands-on Defibrillation: an analysis of electrical current flow through rescuers in direct contact with patients during biphasic external defibrillation. Circulation. 2008 May 13; 117(19): 2510-4

[stlfan217em]

Great implications for continued compressions during the down time required to initiate shock. I'm excited to attempt to maintain perfusion during my next code.

[gsiciliano]

Just be careful because when the pads are both anterior, Dr. Weingart mentioned at USC essentials having parasthesias in his arm for three days after hands-on defibrillation!

[Joe Young, DO]

Yea, I discussed this in person with Weingart. He told me he has shocked himself 45 times. Anytime the pads were anterior/posterior, he never got shocked. When he tried anterior/anterior using biphasic defibrillator at 360J, the first time he got numbness in R hand. He then put on two pairs of gloves, again numbness in R hand. He then tried 3 pairs of gloves, then had numbness go up his entire R arm! So....do it only if pads are anterior/posterior!