How to Measure Defibrillator Power

A defibrillator is a medical device used for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The defibrillator emits an electrical charge into a patient's heart to get it pumping again. But the amount of the defibrillator power must be suitable for the patient. Measuring the defibrillator power is one important method to ensuring the patient receive adequate amount of power to restart the heart.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator

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Instructions

• 1

  Look at the defibrillator setting to see if it is set to standard joules for adults or set to automated external defibrillator (AED) used for children. Because children have less body weight, they need less power to stimulate their hearts. (Joules is the unit of measurement for electricity.)

• 2

  Estimate the weight of the adult or child needing defibrillation. Turn the weight in pounds into kilogram by dividing by 2.2. For example, if a person weights 150 pounds that means he weights 68 kilograms.

• 3

  Determine with a calculator the number of joules needed for the defibrillator. The American Heart Association suggests a measurement of 2 joules per kilogram. For the person who weighs 68 kilograms, the number of joules needed is 136 (68 X 2 = 136).

• 4

  Set the defibrillator to 136 joules. At that point, a trained professional can try to shock the heart back to a steady rhythm