Anyone travel with an AED?

Go Dogs wrote:
Many public places have AEDs, libraries, malls, federal parks, etc.

You, (or the patient)should discuss this issue with their cardiologist. Controlled A-fib is quite common. AEDs are to stop arrhythmias that evolve from the ventricle. If the patient was at risk for ventricular fibrillation, the doctor might consider an internal defibrillator. Possibly, of more concern to you might be the common blood thinners used to control A-fib, as they might contribute to prolonged bleeding.
If you are still concerned about this, confine camping to populated areas, where an AED may be readily available.

Those were sort of my thoughts and I'm not sure what the OP means by controlled since as you stated the risk w/o medication is stroke which the medications such as Pradaxa, Warfins, etc. (SP?) reduce the risk of clotting in the Atria chambers and potential for stroke or embolism. If you have it there is no real cure per se only medications to prevent complications and I'm not sure if an AED would be a common treatment for AFIB. There is a potential cure in some cases by cardio-version but again that is way beyond the scope of the discussion here.

Again as already suggested this subject is best answered by your cardiologist and not here by a bunch of us bumpkins.

Larry

Thanks for the replies. My hubby is in full control of his AFIB and having no problems. I am certified medical assistant with cert. in CPR and AED's, but we were just discussing the "what ifs" being in some more remote areas...just got us thinking thats all. I was just wondering if anyone purchased one and carried with them as they travelled. Still pondering....
Thanks again.

I have an AED and am trained in its use.

To start, owning an AED is only one component of helping someone with heart problem as a first responder. If you don't know CPR, the chances of bringing someone around with the AED alone go down exponentially.

An AED will only work in cases of V-fib or V-tach. If either of these conditions are detected, it will advise you to defibrillate. If the patient is not actively in V-fib or V-tach, it will announce, "shock not advised" and you will not even be able to administer defibrillation.

To the OP, having an AED is great "insurance" just like having an extra fire extinguisher handy. In any case, whether you choose to purchase an AED or not, take a CPR course and also consult with your physician regarding your husbands condition and what you can best do should he have a problem.

Do note that once you own an AED, it is good for about 4 years before requiring recertification.

Neither DW nor I have been diagnosed with heart disease and are in our 60s. We have, however, taken numerous CPR training courses. The consensus among CPR instructors is that an AED increases the chances of survival for a cardiac arrest victim from around 10% with CPR to around 70% with AED. Good enough for me.

We have one in our home, because we entertain a lot of guests. We take it on the road when we travel, whether in the camper or in the car, because, as the OP said, "...one just never knows." I don't think of it as being for DW and me, necessarily. I'd just like to be prepared. A life is a terrible thing to lose, whether it's mine or someone else's.

The op said AFIB and I have a Implantable device for my Afib.
Untreated Afib in a heart patient is bad MOJO and needs treatment quickly as it can lead to stroke and heart failure.

An AED does nothing an implantable does not do?. (excuse the convoluted sentence)

Please see op sentence where she states "My DH is a heart patient (AFIB) that is controlled, but one just never knows."

Citation

Second citation

As a retired paramedic who spent a career working for 911 systems, I will tell you to enjoy the life you have. There are only a couple of arrhythmias a AED will work for. Keep close contact with the cardiologists and follow his advice. I would not recommended your purchasing an AED, but I would not say to get one either. There are numerous companies, all of which are reliable, to purchase from.

darsben wrote:
If husband has afib then he probably qualifies for an implanted Defib.

I had one put in 4 years ago for "peace of mind"

Talk to your cardiologist. If he will not do it, immediately get a second opinion.

IMO Implanted defib is the gold standard for AFIB.

When I worked in the hospital (22 years) I saw hundreds and hundreds of them implanted and NEVER saw a complication.
Please get one soon.

Carrying a portable is second best and a distant second If you have a AED and go out to dinner or take a walk in the forest etc then you have to carry it with you. If you are far away from it you may as well not have it.

An implantable will help the cardiologist keep better track of your arrhythmia's as it stores the info on any anomalies in your rhythm for over 6 months for your cardiologist or any ER to view. This will help with your treatment in a strange town.

You seem to be confused between Atrial and Ventricular fibrillation. An AED is for treating Ventricular fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation, (A-Fib) is treated differently. Don't take my word for it. Learn about it as it is a very important issue.

If husband has afib then he probably qualifies for an implanted Defib.

I had one put in 4 years ago for "peace of mind"

Talk to your cardiologist. If he will not do it, immediately get a second opinion.

IMO Implanted defib is the gold standard for AFIB.

When I worked in the hospital (22 years) I saw hundreds and hundreds of them implanted and NEVER saw a complication.
Please get one soon.

Carrying a portable is second best and a distant second If you have a AED and go out to dinner or take a walk in the forest etc then you have to carry it with you. If you are far away from it you may as well not have it.

An implantable will help the cardiologist keep better track of your arrhythmia's as it stores the info on any anomalies in your rhythm for over 6 months for your cardiologist or any ER to view. This will help with your treatment in a strange town.

In 1985, I was camping with my family in a large beach campground. One of us noticed a neighboring camper laying on the ground. I went over to check him and he was in full cardiac arrest. I'd learned CPR in the service, and I started working on him. Since we were at a beach, we had lifeguards arrive in about two minutes and they took over. They hooked up an EKG, and the man was suffering from ventricular fibrillation.

They had a defibrillator and used it on him immediately. He converted, and I heard by the end of the day he was conscious in the hospital. The CPR and defibrillator saved his life.

I'd talk to my doctor about the need for one though. If your DH is suffering from AFIB, the biggest concern is for a stroke due to blood clots. So hopefully, he's taking his medications. A defibrillator is not normally used for AFIB.

If the doctor recommends it can not only save one of you, but a stranger who is in dire need also. Just make sure you receive proper training on CPR and correct use of the machine.