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Automated External Defibrillators for Scuba Diving
More than 10 percent of all dive fatalities are actually caused by
cardiovascular disease, according to DAN dive accident and fatality statistics.
This course teaches divers and other interested parties to provide care for
sudden cardiac arrest including the use of an automated external defibrillator.
This course represents entry-level training designed to educate the general
diving (and qualified non-diving) public to better recognize the warning signs
of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and administer first aid using Basic Life Support
techniques and Automated External Defibrillators while activating the local
emergency medical services, (EMS) and/or arranging for evacuation to the nearest
appropriate medical facility.
The mean age of divers who die each year in dive fatalities tracked by DAN is
gradually increasing. It is now approximately 42 years of age. Divers are
getting older, and older people are getting involved in diving.
Of the 78 dive fatalities in the DAN 2001 Report on Decompression Illness,
Diving Fatalities and Project Dive Exploration, based on 1999 fatalities, 7.7
percent of them were caused directly by heart disease. At the same time, heart
disease was the direct cause of death for 26 percent of the fatalities involving
divers over the age of 35.
On top of that, 25 percent of divers involved in diving fatalities were also
reported to be taking heart medications.
Heart disease is a common problem. To ignore that it affects divers as much as
it affects the general population does divers a disservice. When you consider
that diving is often done from remote locations - on beaches or off of dive
boats - that are far removed from emergency medical help, it is important to
prepare for every emergency.
Automated External Defibrillators for Aquatic Emergencies
This course represents entry-level training designed to educate the general
diving (and qualified non-diving) public to better recognize the warning signs
of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and administer first aid using Basic Life Support
techniques and Automated External Defibrillators while activating the local
emergency medical services, (EMS) and / or arranging for evacuation to the
nearest appropriate medical facility.
In the United States, sudden cardiac arrest claims more than 225,000 to 250,000
lives a year, according to the American Heart Association.
Ninety three percent of the people involved in a submersion incident die from
cardiac arrest.
Most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest is ventricular fibrillation. There
are several causes of ventricular fibrillation including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Drowning
- Hypothermia
- Electrical shock
The only definitive treatment for ventricular fibrillation is defibrillation.
This course teaches lay-providers to use an automated external defibrillator to
defibrillate a fibrillating heart and restore a normal rhythm.
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