In a huge step for first aid in the UK, more than 20,000 defibrillators – which are devices that give an electric shock to the heart of a person who is in cardiac arrest – have been delivered to state schools across the country since January. Cardiac arrest can affect anyone, of any age, but according to St John Ambulance research, when a defibrillator is used within the first three minutes of a cardiac arrest, the chances of survival increase by up to 70%. Knowing how a defibrillator works could save someone’s life, but what should you know before using one? What is a defibrillator? “A defibrillator is an electrical device that provides a shot across the heart to help bring people out of cardiac arrest,” explains James McNulty-Ackroyd, head of clinical projects and paramedic at St John Ambulance. They are often labelled as an AED which is “an automated external defibrillator, and it recognises when using one would be beneficial for the patient. When we talk about cardiac arrests, we talk about shockable and non-shockable, and an AED is useful when the heart is in particular shockable rhythms”, he says. When used, the electrical shock stuns the heart to send it back to its normal function “from the right shoulder down to the left armpit”. The AED knows when it should work after the pads have been applied, because it “recognises the rhythm like an ECG automatically, and it will not shock if the heart is not in one of the relevant rhythms”. When should you use one? You only need a defibrillator in an incident of cardiac arrest. “They should only be used when the patient is not breathing normally, or the heart has stopped,” explains McNulty-Ackroyd. “Their breathing may be like a fish out of water, there is no rhythm to it, there is no real air entry, or non-purposeful gasping. “The heart is not pumping in that situation – it is not working, but there is some movement. They need a defibrillator and high-quality CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).” What should you be wary of? The good news is, there’s not much to worry about when using one. “Ideally, you should not have anyone touching the patient when you press the big red button, but there are lots of different devices on the market and most have written and audible instructions, and tell you what to do, so it will say to stand clear and tell you what to press and when,” he explains. You need to take or cut the person’s shirt off, though. “There is quite a lot of disinformation about taking someone’s bra off. If you do not take their bra off, you cannot get the pads in the right place. Cut down the middle of the bra, and let it fall open.” What do you actually do? So, you have seen someone go into cardiac arrest or found someone who has collapsed. What do you do? “If you find someone who you think is in cardiac arrest, start CPR, shout for someone to bring you a defibrillator, and ask them to call for help,” advises McNulty-Ackroyd. “The first thing the ambulance service will ask is, ‘Are they breathing?’ They will ask if they’re awake and you will say ‘no’, as they are in cardiac arrest. “An ambulance will be sent as the highest priority in that area. In the meantime, you should be using an AED and performing CPR. “When you ring 999, they will tell you how to do CPR. Do not worry about hurting someone you are doing CPR on. That person is dead, they cannot feel pain, if they sit up and go ouch, they are not in cardiac arrest.” When using the defibrillator, “the first pad goes on the upper right, touching the clavicle [bone of the pectoral arch], and the other into the left armpit, nice and high”, he explains. Every minute you don’t shock that abnormal rhythm, the person loses a chance of life, so use a defibrillator and perform CPR if you are in any way worried about someone who has collapsed. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live What you need to know about the massive LVMH deal with the Paris Olympics Bisexual people ‘experience worse health than other adults’ What’s the coolest bedding to survive summer heat and night sweats?

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Runway model Marissa Dubois has hit out at critics who suggested she has had plastic surgery to achieve her body shape. The Miami-based model and content creator went viral over the weekend after a video of her walking the runway for retailer Hot Miami Styles resurfaced on social media. A clip of Dubois strutting down the runway was shared on the Daily Loud Twitter account, prompting thousands of comments – both positive and negative. While many complimented Dubois for her modelling, others claimed that parts of her body were “fake” and “unnatural”, with some accusing her of undergoing plastic surgery. The model addressed the claims by sharing a throwback photo from her high school days, holding up a sign during her senior year. In the photo, a young Dubois smiles at the camera whole holding a colourful sign with the words “Big Judy” framing a curvy behind in jeans. She wrote in the caption: “For the weirdos that somehow think my body’s fake… This was my senior sign in [high school].” Fans showed their support for Dubois’ clapback with messages of support in the comments. “It’s always smart to keep receipts but in this case, let the haters hate. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone!” one person wrote. “Keep on blessing that runway (as well as us all) and continue reaching for and achieving all of your hopes and dreams.” Another added: “That’s why you got that zest in your walk, doctors can’t give anybody that.” A third said: “You don’t owe anyone any explanation. You are beautiful.” Dubois also received negative criticism about her curvy figure after trolls claimed she was “overweight”. However, fans also came to her defence and praised body diversity on the runway. “A lot of the comments make no sense. I see a beautiful curvy woman owning it,” one person said. Another declared: “Glad we’re finally evolving to have different women with different body shapes modelling.” Dubois’ appearance on the runway is refreshing for many viewers, particularly since the fashion industry came under fire this year for reducing the number of diverse models on the catwalk compared to previous years. Edward Enninful, former editor-in-chief at British Vogue, spoke out against the lack of diversity in March after Fashion Month. Sharing the April 2023 cover of the magazine, which included models Paloma Elsesser, Precious Lee and Jilla Kortleve, Enninful wrote on social media that he felt like he “had gotten into a time machine” while attending shows during Fashion Month. “Show after show dominated by one body type, so many limited versions of womanhood, it felt like we were slipping back,” he said. “From runways in Milan and New York, to the red carpets of the recent awards season, we all saw it happen: one prescribed notion of beauty prevailed again, and it felt like the reality of so many women around the world were being ignored.” Enninful recently stepped down from his role as editor-in-chief and will take on a new title at Condé Nast as global creative and cultural advisor of Vogue. Read More My Taylor Swift exercise class has led me down a luxury fitness rabbit hole Husband fired from family business after wife roleplayed with reborn dolls The bowel cancer symptom George Alagiah wished he’d caught earlier What you need to know about the massive LVMH deal with the Paris Olympics 6 of the biggest bridesmaid fashion trends to know about Barbie fans roast Ben Shapiro for complaining about movie ‘while dressed as Ken’

Back slang is kind of like a lexical puzzle that everyone from costermongers and criminals of the Victorian era to today’s Wordle fans can appreciate.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 25, 2023--

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The festival of Guelaguetza – the biggest cultural event in southwestern Mexico – showcases the traditions of 16 Indigenous ethnic groups and the Afro-Mexican community

L’Occitane International SA’s controlling shareholder is considering a move to take the skin-care company private, people with knowledge

European Union member states have given final approval for the bloc’s master plan to expand semiconductor production

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