You're Fired!

“Defibrillator sets patient's clothes on fire
Wednesday, January 28, 2004 Posted: 10:34 AM EST (1534 GMT)

NEW LONDON, Connecticut (AP) -- A spark from a defibrillator set a woman's clothing on fire when a paramedic tried to restart her heart in an ambulance.

Brenda Jewett, 47, was pronounced dead at a hospital Monday. An autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of her death.

Neither the paramedic nor other members of the ambulance crew were injured by the fire.

Prosecutors asked the state police, fire marshals and the state Office of Emergency Medical Services to investigate.

"I've been in this business 20 years and I've never heard of something like this," said Leonard Guercia Jr., the state's EMS director.

Mary Newman of the National Center for Early Defibrillation in Pittsburgh said the center had never heard of such a case before. She said she doubted the fire or the defibrillator caused Jewett's death.

"When you defibrillate a person, they are already dead," she said.




When I first read the story, I didn't know she died. I figured maybe seeing her clothes on fire would be enough to start her heart! However, the last line of the story got me scratching the old head. When you defibrillate a person, they are already dead? Then, why are you defibtrillating them? Is it, in this case, more of an attempt at cremation?”

“1 entry found for defibrillating.
de·fib·ril·late ( P ) Pronunciation Key (d-fbr-lt, -fbr-)
tr.v. de·fib·ril·lat·ed, de·fib·ril·lat·ing, de·fib·ril·lates

To stop the fibrillation of (a heart) and restore normal contractions through the use of drugs or an electric shock.”

“When all else fails, defibrillate.

Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. They tried to bring my mom back, but she was long gone.”

“Because of this abnormal condition, my heart shut down over 13 years ago. Since my heart quit, I claim that I have died. Paramedics had just arrived and immediately gave me the shock treatment. After five bypasses(in 7½ hours of surgery)I returned to an active life including backpacking and recently, a visit with My Old Flame. I'm looking for many more active years and hope to receive a Black Belt in Aikijutsu(Defensive Combat) the near future. Thank God for medical advances.”

“bizarre story.

It is true that a person is essentially dead at the point defib is required...if the heart isn't functioning, blood isn't pumping...if circulation has ceased, oxygen is not reaching any vital organs of the body (brain). So, in summary, life has ceased.

You always hope that defib will work, but many times it does not...mostly due to too much time passing before a shock is administered.

Nowslimmer, your story is incredible. Glad you are still with us!
:o)

I wonder how many TTers are trained in CPR / AED?”

“I was trained in CPR many years ago. Could still do it if needed, but hope it's not needed.”