C P R

[ericrw]

Can C P R, be used on a patient fitted with a Pacemaker ???

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Yes! The pacemaker only supplies a low energy impulse to time the heart. If it has stopped it needs to be restarted. External defibrillation can also be applied. Ideally the timing needs to be fitted in with any pacemaker cycle but if a paramedic or other medical professional is not around then it should be tried!

[Philippa_BHF]

Hi ericrw,

Thank you for your post- cardiac nurses get asked this quite often.

If someone collapses, isn't breathing and is unresponsive they're in cardiac arrest. Calling for help/dialling 999 and starting CPR and using a defib( following the spoken instruction) is the best thing to do regardless of whether they have a pacemaker, the principle is always the same- the person needs emergency treatment.

I hope I've helped.

Philippa

[Sillyfroggy]

If they’re on the deck and not breathing normally, the pacemaker is not enough so you just crack on and get an AED strapped on pronto