building a first aid kit to deal with heart attacks victims

[northmississippi]

Ok, what would be some good things to have available for the victim that seems to be having a heart attack or even found unconscious and not breathing, that I can actually buy? I want to put it all in my car.

I saw on ebay I can buy a ambu bag.

[Caffeine_IV]

Why do you want to do that? A mouth guard and strong arms and hands are all we need to do CPR and a cell to dial 911.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Field CPR is more effective as compression only evidence shows. You can't buy an O2 tank so you need ALS. Valved face mask is just as efficient as a BVM with no supplemental O2. Plus how are you going to sterilize the BVM post use?

First aid kit: cell to call 911 to get ALS en route. Start CPR. Transfer care to EMS/ALS

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

For the unconscious/not breathing person, here's what you need: A barrier device that you can use to ventilate with. I happen to use the "pocket mask" but there are other barrier devices out there that work equally well. A cell phone. A willingness to get close and personal, possibly up to the point of doing CPR on them. The biggest thing that helps cardiac arrest victims is compressions. When you stop compressions, you stop blood flow and therefore you stop what perfusion was occurring. I use a slightly modified technique that allows me to perform compressions right up to doing ventilation, which I do very rapidly, and then I'm back on compressions very, very quickly. However, even during those short pauses, blood flow is still going to come to a rapid stop that takes time to recover from.

Beyond that, just a regular first aid kit will do just fine.

I'm a Paramedic. While I do have a decent first aid kid, mostly I rely on the barrier device and my cell phone should I decide to assist in an emergency.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Why do you need a kit? What are you thinking about? Do you live very rural?

All you really need is a pair of gloves a barrier device and a cell phone.

ABC...airway breathing circulation....Call for help....start CPR (outside of the hospital setting is chest compressions) and wait for help to arrive. That is all you need.

Ambu bag? Not necessary.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

The more you do the more possible liability you can incur.

Less is more..............

[Caffeine_IV]

The more you do the more possible liability you can incur.

Less is more..............

I agree. It may be outside of our scope to do more than CPR and provide comfort to an chest pain\MI in the field.

[Guest219794]

1- you may be confusing a heart attack with a cardiac arrest. Most heart attack patients don't need an ambubag, they need an ambulance.

2- What tools are you trained with and have developed competence?

No point in carrying it if you aren't adept at using it.

[Guest219794]

I agree. It may be outside of our scope to do more than CPR and provide comfort to an chest pain\MI in the field.

Out of anybody's scope to do CPR on a chest pain.

Once they need CPR, the chest pain has generally resolved.

[missnurse89]

CPR, pocket mask and cell phone. Some public placed may have AEDs which is great tool to utilize if needed. Get that ambulance en route! Effective CPR is your priority when waiting for the ambulance.

It's unnecessary and not safe to take on anymore yourself because that could bring further harm to the patient.

Just know that all you need to do is call for help and perform effective CPR if needed. Effective CPR while waiting for paramedics is what saves lives. I agree it is a liability issue. Do CPR if needed and then hand over the care when EMS arrives.

[Caffeine_IV]

Out of anybody's scope to do CPR on a chest pain.

Once they need CPR, the chest pain has generally resolved.

Of course I worded that completely wrong. Wow lol! I meant doing more than CPR in the field for cardiac arrest.

[missnurse89]

I also need to correct myself. I meant to write that doing other than CPR is a liability issue. Are you a nurse? Maybe you would like ER if this kind of thing interests you.