More people live alone. Hence, more people are alone when they suffer a heart attack. Often, they know they're having one and have enough time to dial 911, but are nevertheless dead by the time help arrives. What they need is a device that can perform chest compression if they lose consciousness. After calling 911, they can velcro themselves in then press and hold a dead-man switch. If they lose consciousness, they let go the switch, and the device starts applying compressions to their chest (which is apparently more effective than the old compress-compress-compress-breathe routine of CPR we all learned as kids).
-- gregor-e, Apr 13 2008

Valsalva maneuver http://en.wikipedia...i/Valsalva_maneuver
I heard about a man who kept himself alive by forcefully coughing. [Klaatu, Apr 13 2008]

SVT http://en.wikipedia...ricular_tachycardia
Plunging your face into ice water can also stop SVT [Klaatu, Apr 13 2008]

Baked with the valsalva maneuver which increases intra thoracic pressure and can halt episodes of SVT.
-- Klaatu, Apr 13 2008


I don't think this is baked - if the person loses consciousness, they aren't going to be able to any damned Valhalla maneuver.

However, would someone have time to dig out the device and fit it, as well as calling 911 (or 999)? Might be worthwhile for someone who has a habit of having heart attacks, I guess.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 13 2008


// a habit of having heart attacks //

The whole problem cardiac fibrillation is that it's not something that should be done on a frequent, or even infrequent, basis.

To modify the idea, (i) the equipment should probably be wearable, and (ii) activating it should remotely trigger a call to the paramedics (including respiratory and cardiac telemetry).
-- 8th of 7, Apr 13 2008


This only occurred to me because a friend of a friend just died in these circumstances. He was alone, knew he was having an attack, had time to call 911 and summon help, but was dead by the time the ambulance showed up.

Yeah, it'd have to be as easy to get into as a La-Z-Boy recliner - just flop down on it and press the deadman switch. I suppose it could call 911 for you.
-- gregor-e, Apr 13 2008


As much as I like this idea, it needs some big modifications to be in any way effective. Wearability, as [8th of 7] said, is a biggie, especially since the target group often have mobility problems, so they can't be expected to strap on the device quickly and under stress. [+]
-- Ratwoman, Apr 14 2008



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