Sunday, September 12, 2021

New in Town

 

Finally, the defibrillator, the external life- saving device during cardiac arrest, has been installed in our town. It is placed in public locations, mainly on lottery kiosks and old payphone booths. 

yellow device on the kiosk's outer wall

The defib. is meant for untrained people who by pushing the right button activate an electric shock  helping the collapsed person survive until ambulance with the rescue team arrives. Everyone on the street, they  say, could be a life saver.

I 've noticed, though,  there are no instructions on this yellow colored device, except for the one, demanding to dial the urgency number 101 when an emergency occurs.  Probably at that number one gets the necessary information on what needs to be done (buttons are under lock).

As I understand, Mifal Hapais (national Lotttery of Israel),  which owns the lottery kiosks,  is funding these devices.The phone booths are the property of the giant phone company Bezek. 

As most of  the phone booths are not in use any more, but still need some maintenance,  it is  now for the Magen David Adom (Israel's national Emergency organization) to bear the responsability for them; it's a win-win situation.

                                                           empty phone booth
 

                                       simple top booth with functioning phone

 

May we never need to use the defib! The sad reality, however, is that we often hear about cases of cardiac arrest. There's even a rise in the number of cases now, probably having something to do with the Covid infection.


 

40 comments:

  1. I know nothing about these medical devices, but here is my opinion anyway...😂...It seems like a bad idea to have untrained people operating them. Maybe it's easier than it looks. Or maybe it is better than doing nothing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You may be right. Haven't seen it work. There's ,however, a great public demand for these devices - probably because as you say"...better than doing nothing".

      Delete
  2. I know we used to have one at our library, but we never used it. I am not quite sure what happened to it. It was installed under the counter. So was a button to let the police know something was happening. But we never used it. I'm glad they are using those unused phone booths for something.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should ask about it. A library is a public place and needs a defibrillator, even if it's rarely in use (which is good).

      Delete
  3. Brilliant.. time is usually of the essence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. Time is critical. If heart's rhythm can be restored by the shock given, until ambulance arrives - then a life has probably been saved.

      Delete
  4. We have something similar at work. I am going to look tomorrow to see if there are any instructions on how to use it. Here, we don't have them at outside areas like phone booths. Fascinating!

    Betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It doesn't have to be outside, but in a public place with people coming in. The devices outside are for people collapsing on the street, close to the booths.
      I suppose the first step must be to inform Emergency which evaluates the situation,and before being on its way to the spot, give the necessary instructions.

      Delete
  5. Good use of equioment! Many of our schools have them. While they are a good idea for life saving purposoes, in our town the criminal element would try to steal them, as they are cutting catalytic converters off the undersides of cars in a mtter of minutes. There should be intructions, though if they are for public use.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Schools? that surprises me. Usually it is the grown-ups that may have cardiac arrest. Maybe they had the teachers in mind when deciding to install the device.
      Well, criminals will try to steal anything that helps them carry out their misdeeds.

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Yes, it is. My only hope is that there won't be any use for it.I mean, I wish people should not have problems with their heart.

      Delete
  7. I often think we have to be in the right place at the right time, say you have a heart attack, there happens to be someone nearby who knows how to use the defibrillator and you have to be near one too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly, Christine - to be at the right place and time. Anyway, placing these devices in public places ,is a nice, important initiative!

      Delete
  8. Even if no one ever has to use it, it's great that it's there just in case.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree with you, Mary.It doesn't take up much space, doesn't cause any pollution or interference - so let it be there. It might save life.

      Delete
  9. I cynically thought that lottery machines would be a great place to put a defibrillator in case someone wins big.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's indeed some irony here. Lottery win is not for 'the faint of heart'. SOmeone could get a heart attack through the joy and surprise of winning.

      Delete
  10. I hope it doesn't have to be used, also. How very scary to have a heart attack in a public town. In the states, we here are hearing virus stats are high in Israel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are hearing right. We have thousands of cases daily.I suppose that what's wrong is the inability of the authorities to enforce the restrictions: especially mask wearing and distancing.

      Delete
  11. Interesting there is one there for the public, it may just save someone's life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 'Save someone's life" - that's the purpose, and it's definitely worth the trouble of funding and installing.

      Delete
  12. that's a wonderful idea! I know they have them installed in a few public places here, like some supermarkets, as it can really save someone's life! I'm not sure I'd feel confident using it though, I only have basic first aid training!

    Hope your week is off to a good start :)

    Away From The Blue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't got even the basics of first aid. It is so, very important! Good for you to have some training!

      Delete
  13. Well, those who fund the device (the Lottery authority) have the money, and it's public money which will now go to a good cause, that of saving lives.

    ReplyDelete
  14. We have those in some towns. The one in ours is next to the chemist/pharmacy. I'm sure it will help to save someone's life.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe the tendency is to place them in most or all towns. In the central area of my town I spotted some five such devices.

      Delete
  15. The idea is very good, never heard about it here in Europe, but I woudn't dare to use it when there is no instruction ! I am sure I would kill the person instead of helping !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I replied to previous comments - the instruction is to dial the emergency number 101 when an emergency requiring action occurs. The rescue team behind the number evaluates the situation, and instructs the caller on what he can do, until they arrive at the scene.

      Delete
  16. Replies
    1. Indeed. Anything that has to do with saving human life is interesting.

      Delete
  17. It's a really good idea, but instructions would be a big help! I wouldn't have a clue. Still, it's a wonderful thing to have. (I'm not sure calling the emergency number is a huge help when someone is panicking.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ן see your point, Jeanie,but I haven't seen it work, and I don't know much about it. I can only say there was and there is great public demand for it.People probably know what's needed.

      Delete
  18. I have seen these devices in many places, but never in a former telephone booth. We attended a course that showed their use and it did not seem overly difficult as the device coaches you along while its in use. As you said, anything that can help save a life is good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to hear these devices are in many places.
      Glad you've done that course! So, you say the device coaches you along - that's great!

      Delete
  19. I am glad they are available so those in need can be treated. However I hope you nor I ever have to use it nor be the one who is getting the treatment. I witness my father in the ICU being brought back to life and it is a scene etched in my memory even though it happen years ago. Peace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ן totally agree with that ; neither of us should have to witness or undergo the treatment offered by the defib.

      Delete
  20. A great idea...to be used when the need arises for those who are in need of it.

    Take care, DUTA. I hope all is well with you and yours:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Lee - that's certainly a great, beneficial idea and enterprise! Let's just hope we won't need its service. Let the device be there for safety and...decoration.

      Delete