The Shocking New Use for Red Telephone Boxes

What do you do with a disused phone box? And can they help save lives? • Thanks to the Community Heartbeat Trust: www.communityh... • and the East of England Ambulance Service: www.eastamb.nh...
Automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, help save lives: but they need to be in an obvious, easy-to-access, public place that's protected from the elements. Conveniently, it turns out there's a disused red telephone box sitting in the middle of a lot of British villages...
Edited by Michelle Martin / @onthecrux
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[@TomScottGo]

I am both proud and not proud of that video title. Also, note that my CPR form isn't perfect here: you should absolutely search "learn first aid" to find a course near you, don't learn it from me!

[@medic376]

sussy baka

[@bobthegreat297]

took me way to long to work out why this is from 4 days ago haha

[@coolnannybros1924]

I actually have one of these, when I moved to America my family bought a phone booth to take home with us and we keep it in our front yard

[@beboparc2378]

Wait how was this posted 4 days ago

[@jackorion7157]

Tom

[@snowstrobe]

They should change that sentence around to say, 'In one minute, re-analysing heart rhythm.' Most people would stop like Tom did.

[@rschroev]

Small well-thought-out changes in phrasing can make all the difference in the world.

[@dogchaser520]

Yep, thought the same thing.

[@PaddedShaman]

Hmm, that could lead to more confusion. Imagine a real emergency scene that's loud and confusing, you can barely hear the box talking to you, and so when it starts talking again, you take a second to focus on what it's saying in all the chaos, and all you hear is, "...re-analyzing heart rhythm." You'd stop for longer, and then become worried when the box seemingly stops giving instructions, like perhaps it's malfunctioned on you. The "in one minute" part is the most important part of that alert, so the people providing care need to be able to hear it. If in the same scenario as above, they would hear something like, "...rhythm in one minute."

[@WilcoVerhoef]

@@PaddedShaman "Keep applying CPR. Analyzing heart rhythm in one minute."

[@888SpinR]

It may just be a training machine thing, I've had one that doesn't give the one minute heads up. In fairness though, I don't think there's really any one perfect phrasing for it, there's always going to be a situation where the alternative might be better. What's important is the analyse and shock voice.

[@david.74]

"The human equivalent of turning someone off then on again" is an incredible line

[@nomennescio7571]

I guess that makes a heart attack the human equivalent of a BSOD then.

[@suchitrasridhar5313]

5:01

[@phs125]

@@suchitrasridhar5313 thanks, missed it

[@safe-keeper1042]

That's exactly what I've been thinking so I thought it was hilarious when the paramedic suddenly agreed with me xD

[@James-gc5if]

Hello, this is God. Have you tried turning him off and on again?

[@OriginalRAB]

I like that this video also subtly addresses a huge TV myth of defibrillators being used when someone's heart has stopped rather than enduring fibrillation.

[@rachelcookie321]

Wait, when do you use it then?

[@OriginalRAB]

@@rachelcookie321 During "Fibrillation". It's when the heart starts spasming out of sync causing erratic heart beats.

[@OptimusPhillip]

@@OriginalRAB Adding onto your explanation (and correct me if I'm mistaken anywhere), the way a defibrillator works is that the electric shock essentially stops the heart beating outright. From there, either the heart's natural pacemaker can kick back in, starting the heart beating normally on its own; or the patient enters cardiac arrest, at which point CPR can begin. Assuming the defibrillator is functioning correctly and doesn't cause any further injury.

[@joshyoung1440]

@@OptimusPhillip that is LITERALLY how the guy (not Tom) explained it in the video, right down to the wording of how the pacemaker will "kick back in." So yes, I think it's safe to say you're correct. I even think you may have heard those facts from the video and not even realized it. Cause you really said exactly what he did lmao. That's actually a VERY common occurrence for humans, especially men. Look up studies on people forgetting hearing things or where they heard them, or even forming false memories as to where they heard things (or that they came up with them on their own).

[@crescentceleste]

I loved that detail. Although I'm aware of how a defibrillator works, it was so refreshing to hear this explanation said so plainly and simply. That's why the analysis of the heart rhythm is so important because there are some rhythms that the defibrillator cannot shock at all such as asystole (when there heart isn't beating at all and there's no electrical activity whatsoever) and PEA (pulseless electrical activity - when there is some electrical activity in the heart but it's not enough to cause a pulse). And just because someone starts off with an unshockable rhythm doesn't mean that their heart won't enter one that can be shocked. Sometimes if for instance a person is in PEA, that can then change into a shock able rhythm so it's always important to keep the pads of the defibrillator on because whether a shock is advised can change.

[@bigpharts]

"could someone without any training use this to save a life? To figure this out, I've gone into cardiac arrest in the town center"

[@mambodog5322]

I was expecting "To test this, I have put someone into cardiac arrest, and will attempt to save them"

[@ketrub]

"seeing that i'm here, the answer is seemingly yes."

[@asystole_]

"I'm here, at the light at the end of the tunnel."

[@commanderleo]

@@asystole_ you have no idea how hard you made me laugh

[@garfieldandfriends1]

Some guy called Nick : _"To find this out, I booked a flight to Japan"_

[@syriuszb8611]

Tom, you looked more convincing of being worried about that plastic body than 90% of TV soap drama actors heaving emotions towards real people.

[@AudieHolland]

Those TV soap drama actors are just heaving emotions to other TV soap drama actors. Not real people.

[@AdamMGTF]

One thing that annoys me about TV/movie chest compressions is how little effort they put in. A successful compression should move the chest 1 third of the way down. Obviously they can't do this to actors, if they did they would break the actors ribs (yes it's as horrible as it sounds). But the fact they show a "bad method" probably does cost lives. Also. You can't act if you do it right. It's exhausting. After a minute or so a normal person will be breathing hard. Adrenaline kicks in. But after 4-5 mins your muscles burn like hell. What really really annoys me about TV tho. Is how the (usually terrible) actor just springs back to life after a little cough and starts talking. Real everyday people think that's how it works. Trying to explain to a family that you did all you could. When as far as they are concerned their loved one should be drinking tea and arranging a date, rather than being dead. Is ..... Not fun. But that's the modern world for you. Most people believe what they see on a screen over objective reality. As a side note. When you do "training" like Tom did. Youd be amazed. You snap into it almost instantly and know you want to do it right. Panic and all.... Even when it's a doll

[@zaidlacksalastname4905]

@@AudieHolland nice

[@ZipplyZane]

@@AdamMGTF There's a reason for that, though. Usually it's a real actor they're doing the compressions on, and real CPR will likely break their ribs. (Yes, it does so in real life, too, but it's worth it to keep them alive. It's not generally worth it to shoot a more realistic scene.)

[@Liggliluff]

The person has lost their lower half, as well as their arms. But a life is still worth saving. Go Tom!

[@coolundbidda7611]

I like how the Defibrillator states 'follow the instructions calmly', Tom reads it out loud and then proceeds to follow the instructions hectically :D

[@ad3z10]

Well that is a better representation of how most people would react in the situation

[@coolundbidda7611]

@@ad3z10 That's a good point actually! ^^

[@revimfadli4666]

As calm as Dumbledore

[@phs125]

@@revimfadli4666 I AM CALM!!!!

[@jackbastian4072]

@@revimfadli4666 DIDJA PUT YA NAME IN DA GOBLET OF FIYAHHHHH

[@kurohyuki5912]

In 10 years we will have people asking why these red boxes with defibrillator in them are called telephone boxes.

[@owenedgson7302]

Which coincidentally will be answered by Tom Scott

[@AJxxxxxxxx]

😂 well there’s a future KZbin video

[@virtualalias]

In 10 years, this will have failed quietly due to lack of use, poor upkeep and bystander syndrome.

[@666t]

Because they are connected by telegraph wires and telegraph poles, silly question

[@user-ejxomyq]

They used to till we started using cell phones

[@KompactKitty]

"You would have saved their life, if it was saveable you would have done it." - I don't think there can be higher praise

[@Carewolf]

Just leaving the dummy for dead? Damn that is cold.

[@mrbearbear83]

Also, don't think there could be worse encouragement, because when inevitably the patient doesn't recover, Tom will feel like a failure. Instead feedback should be something like: giving the best chance for that patient to survive

[@thismans1405]

Legend has it tom gravitates to red objects.

[@Absolutenutter]

That's not a legend that's just fact

[@marcoroberts9462]

No, the red objects gravitate to him

[@Absolutenutter]

@@marcoroberts9462 ooo good point

[@glumbortango7182]

@@marcoroberts9462 The force between them is independent of reference frame, so both phrasings are valid. Edit: I have recently been informed that I am a nerd. This news has devastated me greatly. Please disregard any publicly visible signs of knowledge in the future, as I try to remedy the issue. Sincerest apologies to those who have been affected.

[@Vamp6]

Apple

[@luna0lightning607]

I love how the thumbnail is just Tom going “Get a load of this guy.” to a phone box.

[@popsrockz1372]

Having my own defibrillator inside my chest, I cannot tell you how awesome it is to see countries placing these for public access, I lost my father at 38 because we didn't have access to one in time

[@TheExileFox]

You mean a pacemaker, right?

[@popsrockz1372]

@@TheExileFox no I have an Internal Cardio Defibrillator (ICD). It doesn't pace me, but will shock me if I go into cardiac arrest

[@TheDennys21]

@@popsrockz1372 how is that maintained?

[@popsrockz1372]

@@TheDennys21 it gets replaced by surgery when the battery dies. Also I have a wireless station in my house the device communicates with and the docs have special equipment to check it wirelessly.

[@TheDennys21]

@@popsrockz1372 how long does the battery last before it needs changing?

[@sendmorerum8241]

Poor dude is cut in half, no way you can save him, Tom.

[@jmalmsten]

I laugh... but I do remember in the very limited military training we got they stressed one very important lesson. Unless you are a medic, or someone like that, you are not allowed to pronounce someone unsaveable. So you should patch it up as best as you can and keep pumping until someone qualified is there to tell you to stop. There were two exceptions. 1. Third degree burns over 90 percent of the body.. and 2. If head is not attached to the body... Otherwise... keep pumping.

[@williamrosen3179]

It’s just a flesh wound

[@unliving_ball_of_gas]

@@jmalmsten but he's...cut in half..

[@jmalmsten]

@@unliving_ball_of_gas I'm not a surgeon so I can't say wether the bits left still attached is enough to survive.

[@Tom_Hadler]

@@jmalmsten The left side stands the better chance as it contains a heart. And it'll be the creative half of the brain, so a future career as a one handed artist

[@dingus153]

When it comes to CPR, something is better than nothing. Bystander CPR is often done by untrained people, yet still greatly increased survival rates.

[@zarasamuels9377]

100% the person is literally dead you really cant do harm having a go.

[@spiderpickle3255]

As an American performing CPR when not being trained in it sounds like a good way to get sued if you aren't specifically protected by a good samaritan law.

[@disaba100]

@@spiderpickle3255 "Oh no, how dare you to save my life! Give me your money, now!" It's just ridiculous that it happens tbh, but I'd still take up the lawsuit if that meant potentially saving a persons life.

[@hetsmiecht1029]

@@disaba100 honestly if I saved someone and they then sued me for not being a trained professional (even though no trained professional was around to do the job instead), I would've wished the person couldn't be saved.

[@KP0p1437]

@@disaba100 nah more like if the victim's condition goes wrong you can be seen as liable. Which is why lots of people are scared to help others

[@squidapple9662]

Oh, our town turned them into high speed wifi hotspots, savings lives is cool too though

[@bigkoi1015]

forget defib, I need these

[@Funkiy]

Turn them into urnals

[@GordonGarvey]

They could be both

[@aperioculus1988]

They could've been turned into fast charging points too, just incase you're out and your phone dies. There's so many uses for them they really didn't need to be removed.

[@scottwhitley3392]

@@aperioculus1988 in Edinburgh where I live most bus stops have charging ports now

[@derryoneill9484]

Hi Tom! I work for British Telecom and was thoroughly intrigued by this video as I wasn't aware that BT was offering this to these amazing, life saving organisations. I shared this fact (and a link to your video) on our internal messaging system to raise awareness and it has since hit our internal newsletter too. I hope this gets some extra traffic your way. Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention

[@ltmundy1164]

BIG thanks for spreading the word. From this para in the states.

[@xeniamorph]

Should be: "In one minute, will reanalyze heart rhythm" to prevent exactly what Tom did here.

[@ridanann]

fax

[@einlandersvideos6213]

The ones that I have at work don't even tell you that. It only prompts you when you need to stop or start. There is no confusion of what to do.

[@immortalsun]

I absolutely thought the same thing. Better yet, it shouldn’t say anything. Or it should say “Keep doingf CPR. In one minute, will reanalyzed the heart rhythm.”

[@dafoex]

I was about to say exactly the same thing. It would be a little clunky use of English, but I think it's still perfectly clear what it's telling you.

[@renakunisaki]

I wonder if it could even guide you through how to do CPR? ...I wonder how impractical it would be to make a machine that does CPR?

[@ilyaholt8607]

I admire the clickbaity use of the word "shocking" in the title, which wasn't actually clickbait.

[@RazzBeri1]

да, is just clever wordplay then.

[@georgeball1382]

I’m so proud of myself, I saw a defib in a telephone box once and before watching the video I figured it was about defibs

[@Sentientmatter8]

Yet it wasn't what the title would suggest either.

[@yt.personal.identification]

Tom's true genius is to have trained us to compliment him on his use of clickbait.

[@jasonwebb1882]

Not even a week ago the Soccer player that was saved with a defibrillator. They are a life saver for sure.

[@mikemetaled]

It keeps a piece of British cultural heritage intact, and turns a largely obsolete technology into something vital. I can't wait for someone to use misplaced nostalgia to complain about it.

[@SavageGreywolf]

using their Apple smartphone, no doubt

[@reachandler3655]

Let's hope the Difribulators are more reliable and less vandalised than the phones were.

[@woutervanr]

Nostalgia for working telephone boxes is on the same lvl as nostalgia for blood letting or shitting in a bucket. It's old tech, get over it. The boxes themself can obviously be repurposed though, a box is a box.

[@mylesfrost335]

back in my day we didnt have defibs everywhere, if you were dying im afraid that was it, sorry but its true, none of this new fangled saving lives bollocks, if you were into that you had to carry it with you 24/7 and it was your burden and responsibility to bring it everywhere you went, personal responsibility is something your generation know nothing about

[@benyavnilovich1748]

In some countries there is a law stating that a defibrillator should be placed in any place hosting more than x people

[@SqueekyBums]

*I used to maintain these housings,* and the telephony equipment within. Great to see them repurposed! The featured kiosk was called the *K6.* Ironically, I now work for the NHS and am fully versed with AED equipment 😉

[@djsnackcakes2795]

"It is the human equivalent to turning it off and on again" Does that mean CPR is the equivalent of hitting it until it works again?

[@james-23]

Yes

[@gentrydean3789]

Hmm what would "now you're sure it's plugged in?" be?

[@renakunisaki]

@@gentrydean3789 "are you sure you're not imagining it?"

[@goldflores7664]

"Blowing into the cartridge" would fit more i think

[@e.f9033]

good cheses

[@jadeamulet2339]

“Timmy isn’t waking up!” “Have you tried turning him off and back on again?”

[@Ultracity6060]

It truly is the universal solution.

[@ericbazinga]

01189998819991197253

[@chorusofoddities]

@@ericbazinga ***The true reference***

[@DODA1]

@@ericbazinga tnetnba

[@thatwaterriver3824]

it crowd???

[@pandora8610]

"Remove all clothing from chest and stomach." No, the *patient's* chest and stomach.

[@ThePixel1983]

😂

[@dodgeman777]

Don’t tell me how to live my life!

[@SteveInScotland]

Madame! Your smothering him!

[@VC-Toronto]

Giggidy!

[@joejoe4games]

But how else are your going to look cool saving a live if you don't take off your shirt?

[@N-GinAndTonicTM]

It's a great idea. A piece of iconic British history, that's unfortunately no longer needed, but saved by being turned into something that is needed. The Phone Box still stands. Only this time it will be for a greater good.

[@TheHonestL1ar]

"There are concerns over maintaining dignity. Life comes before dignity." Wish more people would understand that

[@jimtaylor294]

True. Dignity is a convoluted thing though, as it's tied to a patient's will to live. The latter has after all to *want* to live, and to believe that the misery inherent in the recovery process is going to be worth struggling through. I had to learn that the hard way. Recovering from severe injury puts the mind through hell as much as the body.

[@opaqueentity]

The tough cut scissors you’ll often find with the defibs are designed to cut through jeans, bras, all sorts. It’s a lot easier and makes you think less than undoing clothes

[@antonhelsgaun]

@@jimtaylor294 i think he's mainly referring to showing tiddies

[@jimtaylor294]

@@antonhelsgaun Perhaps; though dignity goes beyond just boobies.

[@bronzejourney5784]

@@jimtaylor294 Not really, its an artificial concept that doesnt mean anything on its own.

[@dozer1642]

Don’t be surprised that while doing chest compressions on older patients, you will hear ribs breaking. Yet another example of things that are bad, but still better than dying.

[@jcespinoza]

Can that happen? 😳

[@david65219]

@@jcespinoza it's quite common. My last CPR instructor told us to "always expect a crunchy chest"

[@kilikus822]

@@jcespinoza I was told in lifeguard training that if you do CPR correctly you're almost guaranteed to break at least one rib. This may have been slightly overestimated to ease the tension of realizing you broke a rib WHILE giving CPR but its common enough to be mentioned in training.

[@tribblier]

@@jcespinoza you should compress 2 inches, broken ribs is very very normal

[@AdamMGTF]

@@tribblier 2inchs? I'm not great with Imperial (34yo Englishman) but I would never go 2in. Aim for 1/3 of the chest is what I've been taught since university and with every refresh. As for braking ribs. Not just elderly patients. It's likely for anyone. The TV don't mention that

[@IDontModWTFz]

Some places use them as a library type thing full of books and DVDs

[@ricktusgrin906]

We have a library phone box in our village.

[@seppgamess4287]

Cool

[@olik136]

that is also true for Germany- sometimes the yellow German equivalent, but I have seen several red phone booths in Germany

[@jorgepeterbarton]

Or some kind of art installation?

[@woodytheskip1718]

There’s one in the village of Kirkby on bane near woodhall spa. not far from where I live.

[@billiq]

Here in Germany everyone has to visit a course, where you are told how to behave in medical emergencies just like this in order to get your drivers license.

[@AnthonyHandcock]

That's a very, very, very good idea and I don't know why we don't have the same rule in the UK. It's not as if the essentials are hard to learn. I did a course just after I left school and then another one 30 years later. I'm pleased to say I hadn't actually forgotten the basics even though I'd not really thought about them in all that time and never had to use them... Thankfully.

[@ltmundy1164]

Deutschland, like many EU nations, requires citizens to respond/act in an emergency. Here in the US, there's no legal compulsion to render aid/assistance during an emergency. Most states will shield against criminal/civil charges for providing aid in good faith. Now, if Samaritan laws would only shield providers from b slapping bystanders who video the incident/suing the crap who'd post them/both.

[@Garundian00]

The world is better for having Tom Scott and no one will ever convince otherwise

[@ricebeansrockroll882]

If something ever happend that would convince me otherwise a lit of my trust in humanity would be hurt.

[@texas_badger1984]

@@ricebeansrockroll882 oof QwQ

[@denimchicken104]

Who the hell would even want to convince you otherwise?

[@dh4913]

Agree. No questions needed.

[@akbflo]

Who would even try? The insanity.

[@Adeodatus100]

My CPR training always started with "Scenario: someone collapses in Tesco's car park..." I always thought "I'll be fine, I only shop at Sainsbury's".

[@5446isnotmynumber]

What is a Tesco?

[@alpheendomination]

@@5446isnotmynumber A British shop, I take it you're not British?

[@5446isnotmynumber]

@@alpheendomination so a walmart?

[@bt3743]

@@5446isnotmynumber No because tesco isnt the only shop for miles

[@UnexpectedPlay]

@@bt3743 normally walmarts are next to other stores like targets and costco's and furniture places so that's not actually true (like where I live in the subards there is a walmart 3 miles away from me and like 10 stores within a half a mile of that walmart)

[@esquilax5563]

In 100 years, Tom, his life extended by biotech and nanotech, will make a fascinating video explaining the forgotten history of Britain's defibrillator boxes, and how they were used in pre-telepathy days for a primitive form of telecommunication

[@geckogeico2212]

I would absolutely loathe telepathy

[@StarshadowMelody]

@@geckogeico2212 I probably would hate it a lot less if we were able to block people out of our brains. Especially if we could sort of autofunction like that. Or if we had to actively open doors to do things with it.

[@zathrasb55]

In 10 years, if the emergency operator tells a kid to get the defibrillator from the telephone box on the corner, the kid may not know it is.

[@jeanpaulsinatra]

From the moment I understood the weakness of the flesh, it disgusted me

[@ttomasarias3719]

@@StarshadowMelody Telepathic advertisement in 5,4,3...

[@matthewdavies1236]

Tom Scott continues to fascinate with such random topics. The enthusiasm is unparalleled. Keep the content going, Tom. You make seemingly mundane topics interesting and engaging. This one may actually help me save someone’s life.

[@sizweletanta]

Defibrillator: "remove clothing" Me: "Shirtless Tom!" Defibrillator: "from the patient" Me: "that makes more sense"

[@AR-py5uk]

You can't separate the red tshirt from Tom

[@jonathanshaw6784]

@@AR-py5uk it's red t-shirts all the way down

[@glorbnorgaborg37yearsago10]

@@AR-py5uk one can’t be Tom without a red shirt. It’s like asking for an Oreo with no cream

[@allangibson2408]

After 40 minutes of CPR having a shirt off is definitely an option…

[@jadenyuki5647]

The red shirt stays ON during CPR

[@AvisPlays]

I had the experience of having to use one of these 4 years ago. Unfortunately, at the time the boxes werent coded so when i called the ambulance service back, they couldnt tell me the code to get the defib. My dad didn't make it but further investigations suggested the defib wouldn't have made a difference. Those five minutes stood in that phone box trying random numbers are easily the worse five minutes i've had. I don't blame the service and have nothing but praise for the NHS. Following what happened, we had meetings with the NHS and locally they introduced a coding system to make them easier to open. Great video but god damn if it didnt bring some poor memories back.

[@clonkex]

Wow. How were you _supposed_ to get the defib out?

[@abandonedaccount123]

sorry for your loss :(

[@bigredc222]

Sorry for your loss. If you were American you'd be looking for someone to sue.

[@HeidiBird]

So sorry about your dad :(

[@n3tfury]

Sorry for your loss.

[@sevret313]

Machine : "Keep calm" I've never seen Tom this stressed before.

[@loadeddiaper4216]

@wuoi zuiu I think they are talking about women

[@hygher]

Well now I’m just annoyed that I didn’t see him, I live down the road from that Defibrillator box

[@ClipperDays]

I used to live there as a kid. I immediately recognized the names on the road signs right behind him. At least if I ever return home I'll be able to have a heart attack, knowing that I can be saved.

[@DavidLinn]

@@ClipperDays if anyone's around

[@thomasr7129]

Well, now ya know. :)

[@Jam_Axo]

@@DavidLinn anxsiety

[@gentrydean3789]

That's a cool coincidence!

[@katiekawaii]

I was like "there's no way Tom used clickbait. There is some way to read this as literally descriptive." And there was. Props?

[@oguzhanyazgan3052]

I LOVE how there ist no background music. Just the wind and some birds and your voices of course. Love it.

[@GriffinsHideout]

Tom, dissappinted you didn't show what the previous use for telephone boxes was. For science

[@unitp]

I guess we'll never find out..

[@livinlicious]

Probably urinating.

[@polyculeman]

I am dissappinted too

[@philippthecat9098]

@@livinlicious definitely

[@Qbe_Root]

Traveling through space and time, the blue ones also had more room on the inside than they looked from the outside so they could probably be used for storage

[@tdog475]

"Remove all clothing from chest and stomach." Tom: *rips off his own shirt*

[@batbehavior]

"the patient,,,, I can't feel a pulse!" tom: "have you tried turning it off and on again?"

[@yatsumleung8618]

There's strict instructions about sticking on the pads. Right shoulder, left armpit. If you reverse them the machine may not be able to sense the pulse.

[@andrewshaw1571]

If it senses no pulse, it wont advise a shock. The defib turns the patient off, the patient turns themself on again if thats the terminology we are using.

[@cornflake75]

"What kind of operating system does it use ?" "Vista" "We're going to die!" 😁

[@EatMyShortsAU]

Next time you call emergency services you will be connected to an IT worker in India asking you turn it on and off again before requesting payment via Itunes gift cards..

[@redroachdk8378]

Great video. Important issue. A final note of: "Doing bad CPR is far better than doing no CPR at all." Would've been great. A punctured lung in a living person is preferable to a dead person.

[@amak1131]

So much this. Blood is still moving and far better than having them just lie there. I remember is basic training being told to try to keep a good rhythm, but something is better than nothing.

[@Imthefake]

unless the person whose life you saved decides to sue you

[@sawendev]

@@Imthefake That's why Good Samaritan laws are important

[@empath69]

@@Imthefake ...and gets laughed out of court because the defendant actions are the only reason the plaintiff LIVES to file suit.

[@redroachdk8378]

@@Imthefake Rules for suing are different in different countries. In Denmark (where I live), you cannot be sued for saving another persons life.

[@dylanminett8552]

This is a brilliant use of telephone boxes. Defibrillators drastically improve the chances of survival.

[@fake28rss]

what if they turned the red box into an air purifier

[@menguardingtheirownwallets6791]

(yes, about 4 Canadians per year require the use of a defibrillator, out of 40 million people).

[@illestvillain1971]

@@menguardingtheirownwallets6791 lmaooo

[@illestvillain1971]

@@menguardingtheirownwallets6791 that's 2 people that wouldn't have been alive otherwise!!!!

[@ZNotFound]

4:46 Tom revealing that there's room for improvement for the audio instructions here.

[@marcussheen]

Yes I thought that, maybe it should say 'one minute until...', unless there's something obvious I'm missing.

[@SnoFitzroy]

@@marcussheen That's precisely what I was thinking

[@route2070]

AED "start chest compressions" Tom in his head "OK, Freestyle."

[@gameseeker6307]

Begone bot

[@route2070]

I've reported them, waiting to see how long this takes.

[@tormagnusvallestad7659]

Stayin' alive.

[@trinityy-7]

@@route2070 ive reported them millions of times

[@-Sean_]

@@route2070 same

[@smokagaming491]

Honestly, having just lost a grandmother 3-4 days ago, seeing a country start to implement this brought some warm back into my heart

[@Autogenification]

"Life comes before dignity" never thought a paramedic would describe my life so well 😭

[@5446isnotmynumber]

So your like, naked all the time?

[@mo-s-]

Voice: "Follow the directions calmly" Tom: *Speedrun!*

[@tortolgawd4481]

*dream music plays*

[@PutsOnSneakers]

@@tortolgawd4481 " two girls one cup" displays on smartphone

[@polish_filipino]

Finally Doctor Who makes sense. Who wouldn't want a Doctor in a phone box that has a defibrillator in it?

[@stejer211]

Guys... are we going to tell him about the police box?

[@LeafHuntress]

@@stejer211 nah (^.^)

[@kricku]

@@stejer211 It's the box with a police in it

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

The shocking new use for red telephone boxes is as a time machine.

[@charlesshreeve319]

I don't know, would Who?

[@BuischuiCosplay]

learned the recovery position, CPR and how to use an AED in school recently, definitely an important lesson

[@NGC-7635]

Imagine kids in the future being shocked to learn that phone boxes are called that because they used to have actual phones in them

[@thebritiannicscribian991]

true i never thought about that

[@dabtican4953]

I could totally see that being a simple history video in 2150

[@romplom7677]

You mean like there were Smartphones just laying around in there? Wouldnt they get stolen all the time?

[@myfatassdick]

rom plom “what do you mean it had a wire connected to it? Didn’t it have battery that lasts for a week?”

[@anishs6764]

"I always thought it was because you use one after you phone the ambulance"

[@Hernyoutube]

“Could a bystander with no medical training actually use one of these to save a life? To answer that I’ve decided to kill someone.”

[@akhasshativeritsol1950]

It's only killing them if the answer is no :)

[@spingleboygle]

I read this the exact time the part came up

[@slippinslidewayz]

I didn't expect that! Cool idea! Here in the US, people put them in for their kids to wait for the school bus and not have to stand in the rain/snow.

[@sertaki]

In Germany, I have seen some of the old yellow telephone boxes here turned into open book shelves, where everybody can either take or leave books for others. Also a nice use!

[@Ellie-rx3jt]

We have those in the UK (and sometimes in old phone boxes) too. We call them community libraries 😁

[@DarkIzo]

defib: "follow the prompt calmly" tom: "IAMCALM"

[@MikeysPsyche]

Your rhythm for CPR was spot on too! Its the same BPM as Stayin Alive by the Beegees!

[@sadcoffee9863]

Or another one bites the dust if you’re in a bad mood, or you don’t particularly like the person.

[@johannes.f.r.]

Smart, phone boxes were already placed at points where either lots of people pass by or at the centre of a community.

[@adamjones2025]

CRP is something everyone that is capable SHOULD learn, However instructors have said to me you can not kill a dead person so any CPR is better than no CPR.

[@ltgengeorgewalls1268]

Absolutely. Just remember to not crack ribs. Also, CPR not CRP. CardioPulmonary Resuscitation Edit: Yea, shoulda said TRY not to, haha. Still, do whatever's in your power to keep people alive.

[@adamjones2025]

@@ltgengeorgewalls1268 HAHAHAHA oh bugger me, bloody heck yep i was typing in a hurry lmao.

[@chakatfirepaw]

@@ltgengeorgewalls1268 Actually, these days it's more likely to be CCR: CardioCerebral Resuscitation, because it turns out that it isn't worth skipping compressions to do artificial respiration.

[@vilisinerva6476]

@@ltgengeorgewalls1268 Ignore this. When doing CPR, ribs will sometimes crack. It's just a thing that happens. If you're doing chest compressions, your number one concern is to get high-quality compressions in, not worrying about pain afterwards. If the person can't be resuscitated it doesn't matter and if they can it matters a whole lot less than having saved their life.

[@sailorbrite]

@@ltgengeorgewalls1268 you can’t help cracking ribs, especially if you’re doing CPR effectively and pressing hard enough to circulate the blood. Especially in an older person whose bones are likely brittle. CPR is exhausting and as the person is most likely on the ground you need to use some of your body weight to help and it’s just going to happen.

[@nigelsheridan6229]

Well done Tom, the patient pulled through and made it back to M&S for his afternoon shift in the mens wear dept. Everyone should learn at CPR at school me thinks.

[@rubbers3]

@5:00 *"It's the human equivalent of turning someone off and on again."* Now that is something I didn't expect to hear.

[@tapio_m6861]

Tom: "WE HAVE A PERSON GOING INTO CARDIAC ARREST HERE!" ERC operator: "Have you tried turning them off and on again?"

[@Blue-Maned_Hawk]

> It's the human equivalent of turning someone off and on again. I see that these guests understand Tom's usual audience. Wonderful video!

[@twocsies]

In my city in Australia, they replaced the boxes with TVs running ads. They also kept the phone but made it free to place calls, to detract from criticism. Now the phone company sells the ads visible to all people passing by.

[@w7nter239]

In my town in Germany, we have a red, discontinued british telephone box as well and we use it as a free library, where people can just take books or leave some

[@drpaulht26]

I must admit, my immediate reaction to this was “yes, the boxes are used for defibs. I know all this” expecting to learn nothing new. By the end, I have to admit to being not only educational but really inspiring. One of your best Tom, and that’s saying something.

[@Cruxador]

The need to heat them was news to me, seems obvious in retrospect but as someone who lives where it wouldn't be necessary I didn't even consider it.

[@martyboi5609]

"It's the human equivalent on turning someone on and off again" 911 operator: have you tried putting grandma in rice?

[@Liggliluff]

*999 operator, because Tom Scott is British ;) or 112 if you want it to be the most global.

[@varrjames186]

@@Liggliluff 911 was a better emergency number though because it was quicker to dial on the old dial phones.

[@MegaVikingen]

@@varrjames186 I don't really see how 911 would be faster than any of the other two numbers. 999 is pressing the same key 3 times, 112 is like 911 in reverse, but the 2 key would be right next to the 1 key.

[@Oemerich]

@@MegaVikingen see there's the catch ;) we're talking pre-button phones here with a circular dial

[@CrazyKiller1112]

"Ok, try holding down her bellybutton and right eyeball at the same time to access factory reset settings"

[@Storyteller543]

Aed's like this are designed to be used by a civilian with no training. When EMS arrives they use what called a Manual defibrillator. The EMTs and paramedics can give more precise care with it.

[@richardjohnson2446]

@@williamcurtis2145 Maybe where you’re from, in the UK we can analyse our own on scene ECG’s post-ROSC without Doctor on scene. UK ambulances (when crewed with s Paramedic) are set up for ALS, not just BLS.

[@joergsonnenberger6836]

@@williamcurtis2145 It's not just the USA. Most paramedics in Germany are not certified doctors and don't have the training or license to operate a manual defibrillator. They often don't have the time for doing more either.

[@pyromaster9101]

Next time on Tom Scott: “I learn CPR”

[@The23rdGamer]

I'd be down.

[@hassiaschbi]

A Tom Scott CPR Training would be so great!

[@SQUIRREL9194]

In Windsor There’s a telephone box that has lots of books in like a mini library.

[@interdiction2]

At least you've got something to read whilst waiting for the Ambulance! 👌

[@ObiGale33]

My local phone box has been turned into a book exchange. Luckily there is a defibrillator about 20 metres away. Bit depressing that I have more chance of using the defibrillator.

[@Mike-oz4cv]

The books in most book exchanges are boring or I’ve already read them.

[@cerebrummaximus3762]

Do you guys have any other ideas of what the Tel Boxes can be made into?

[@cerebrummaximus3762]

As you made the joke, you are more likely to use the Defibrillator over the book exchange. Do you think using the telephone boxes as a Telephone charger or something would be a good Idea?

[@stillbuyvhs]

@@cerebrummaximus3762 Wi-Fi Hotspots.

[@amak1131]

@@stillbuyvhs I mean, there's room to toss a repeater in along with the defib... why not both?

[@smokingsamosa]

Great CPR attempt for someone who isn't trained in it! Now let's make CPR and defibrillator use a mandatory part of the British school curriculum!

[@vikenemma2953]

In school in Sweden during our Pe or sports classes we had to take a class on CPR and a course in firefighting, not professional level but we where taught how to deal with such threats.

[@Gabberz123]

Speaking as a paramedic: This is awesome. To have them easily identifiable and locatable like this is brilliant. Also, everyone should do a CPR course and keep it up to date. When nobody has done CPR prior to the time it takes us to arrive, survival is practically nil. Bystander CPR determines patient outcome more than anything I can do. Go do the course, the life you save is more likely to be a close family member than anyone else.

[@ElizabethSwims]

This video saves lives

[@mooshuroom]

hi verified person

[@ElizabethSwims]

@@mooshuroom hello

[@peskypigeonx]

The calmness here is something I inspire for

[@windowsxpmemesandstufflol]

@@ElizabethSwims very “shocking” huh

[@gideon7212]

I do like that the guy pointed out both "the pad couldve been a bit higher" and also "but hey that works so good job"

[@tonyprice4259]

This is actually really cleaver I never would have thought of a little defibrillator booth

[@4ntig3n]

The "Clickbaity" Title that wasn't in fact bait. Kudos to you Mad Capn Tom, kudos to you.

[@blazernitrox6329]

Join us next episode when Tom learns proper CPR.

[@tncorgi92]

Every adult should know CPR, along with every child who is old enough to understand it.

[@luukmuller9646]

@@tncorgi92 absolutely. Sadly, I live in the Netherlands where it isn’t taught at schools. I think it should be, because it could literally save someone’s life.

[@LavroseRovender]

We *

[@DeKat-84]

This is a very good use of redundant phone boxes! Although my village had 4 phone boxes that no longer worked, they were just removed.

[@tidmouthmilk12]

Imagine if the Police public call boxes hadn't been decommissioned and they'd become defibrillator points they could've been associated with *actual* doctors as well as Doctor Who!

[@chaos.corner]

Word is that dummy still sends Tom a card every Christmas.

[@StrokeMahEgo]

"Thank you for saving me, Tom. Yours faithfully, CPR dummy"

[@Natalie-101]

@@StrokeMahEgo aw at least he's faithful 🥰

[@StrokeMahEgo]

@@ragnkja probably

[@AAAyyyGGG]

... otherwise known as Wide Eyed and Legless...

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Glad you showed this! We need to be reminded now and then.

[@claycross840]

"'if it was savable" that was oddly chilling.

[@TauAlphaVu]

Media unfortunately has misled the public into thinking that CPR has a much higher success rate than it truly does. It only ends up being successful a little over 10% of the time. Obviously, that's not to say that you shouldn't do CPR though, because their chance of surviving *without it* would be zero. Just don't get your hopes up or get fret about "what more could I have done" because most of the time the answer is frankly nothing.

[@shadowxxe]

@@TauAlphaVu I think the point of CPR isnt to restart the heart but instead to keep some level of blood flow throughout someone's body so they're organs dont shut down

[@Ikxi]

@@shadowxxe To keep blood flowing to the brain and that way oxygen. Brain damage is the greatest risk you can run into, if you survive a such an event. Doing CPR will help people who survive from being crippled.

[@ltmundy1164]

@@TauAlphaVu: Closer to ~20%, if the arrest was witnessed. Multitude of cardiac scenarios, each with varying potential outcomes/probabilities. When nobody steps up/renders aid, the outcome becomes a certainty. @ This moment, time is life.

[@yatsumleung8618]

4:30 This is a semi-auto defibrillator where you need to press the button to deliver the shock. Some defibrillators (e.g. Philips) are fully automatic and will deliver the shock right away after the warning tone.

[@carlweeks2399]

*. Full auto 50 round drum defibrillator *

[@yatsumleung8618]

@@carlweeks2399 Electrokraftwerk

[@kusti1337]

Well it's more dangerous that way cause the person performing CPR could get a shock

[@davidbeckett1310]

@@carlweeks2399 Assault defibrillator

[@dzenan.m]

@@kusti1337 They also detect if someone is touching the patient

[@STho205]

Marvelous reuse. I may talk with our council about this here in my small village in the US. Our phone boxes were mostly phased out in the 70s for standing kiosks, but such a shelter could be purpose built and painted bright yellow. I would suppose all the surviving blue police boxes in Britain have long sense been snapped up by pop collectors.

[@justjoshin956]

"shocking new use" isn't that kind of clickbaity, Tom? *realization*

[@stuffchat]

It's factually accurate.

[@JukeboxTheGhoul]

Shocking, isn't it?

[@Squitdoogenz]

@@stuffchat Yes, that's what OP "realised".

[@simonwilde4404]

I'm always trying to explain to people that you can't re-start a stopped heart with a de-fib machine. But they do it in the movies!

[@sh4dy832]

I mean, it isn't too far fetched to think it would be possible. After all, you _can_ move muscles by applying electricity through the skin.

[@cameronhorn143]

@@sh4dy832 defibs reset the electrical activity in your heart, get it running back to it's normal rhythm.

[@sh4dy832]

@@cameronhorn143 Yes, as mentioned briefly: It can stop a "flickering" heart (not sure if that's the correct term in English), but it cannot kickstart a heart that has already stopped. That part is up to the CPR and whichever gods you believe in.

[@seegee9927]

@@sh4dy832 "Atrial Fibrillation" is a wrong rhythm when the heart is running too fast & weakly, so I suppose the associated verb would be "fibrillating" - and that is why the machine is a defibrillator. CPR is definitely worth learning, but don't expect miracles.😉

[@DominicGo]

the way the defib is spewing out instructions is so scifi to me: “analyzing heart rhythm... shock advised. stand clear. press the orange button NOW. human successfully rebooted”

[@Seekay_]

The only thing it needs is the LCARS voice from Star Trek.

[@DominicGo]

@@Seekay_ exactly. It sounds like a computer systems diagnostic, but for humans... i wonder if it’s running embedded linux, or if it’s entirely proprietary hardware/software inside.

[@dodsg]

@@DominicGo Proprietary hardware. The functions are fairly simple, mathematically and engineering wise, and simpler=more reliable. Introducing the hardware needed for even a minimal OS would be increasing the risk of failure.

[@vylbird8014]

@@dodsg You can find simplified schematics for one easily enough. The fancy analysis part is all done in software. It's really just two sides: A differential amplifier that feeds the signal into the microcontroller for analysis, and a whopping great big capacitor and pulse-shaping inductor that zaps the patient. The paddles are connected to the capacitor through an H-bridge, because extensive testing* determined that you get the best outcome if you reverse the polarity mid-zap. *I don't know how this was determined, but I suspect it may involve a lot of dead pigs.

[@DominicGo]

@@vylbird8014 that’s very cool! Thanks for sharing

[@mvnd5652]

everyone should try and take basic CPR training, this just reminded me I should learn how to do it

[@zJoriz]

if this new use isn't actually shocking - as in: "electrical current through body" shocking - I'm going to be mildly offended. EDIT: I am, I'm surprised to report, NOT offended.

[@thewiseturtle]

So, you're not offended, I hope.

[@kopapai7138]

shut up

[@Thomanski]

@@kopapai7138 hold on brb let me find someone who asked

[@derok7323]

@@Thomanski asked who and for what?

[@GerardMenvussa]

So it really wasn't clickbait, surprisingly.

[@HopeisAnger]

😮"Life comes before dignity." It is amazing to see an entire culture change that much in one lifetime.👍

[@stanleysimpson2047]

It took me just over a minute to understand the point of title. I was watching the video and thought “that makes a lot of sense, what’s so shocking about doing that?” I then realised “ ah, its shocking because it’s a defibrillator” and felt stupid for not immediately getting it.

[@nickchambers3935]

I bet you were shocked when you finally got it

[@AShadowboxsFSX]

Bravo. Love this video and this initiative in the UK. Pre-EMS-arrival CPR and AED application is the biggest contributing factor to patient survival

[@tehs3raph1m]

That sudden realisation from Tom that he's going from a self taught CPR plan is something we should all think about. How do you do CPR on a baby for example... It should be mandatory in schools

[@kaedenpalmer2248]

It's mandatory in most US high schools nowadays.

[@terryhinch]

Thankfully, most emergency services call takers are trained to coach bystanders.

[@jamesahibbard]

It should be something every soon-to-be parent learns.

[@sailorbrite]

For those unaware, until you can schedule a class: on a baby, you press on their chest with 2 fingers.

[@BarginsGalore]

@@kaedenpalmer2248 regular cpr sure but they didn’t mention infants

[@omerfarukbykl6097]

Tom: The Shocking New Use for Red Telephone Boxes Me: Someone invented time travel?

[@francesatty7022]

Red Telephone box =/= Blue Police box ???

[@slightlycrookedworkshop]

I've seen a bystander with no medical training use one. Maybe 12 or 13 years ago we had to use one of these on a guy at work. Everyone lined up to do CPR but, sadly his heart wasn't shockable.

[@owtkast023]

I've had to use an AED here in the States. They really try to make them as "idiot proof" as possible. The one I used had pictures so it was not necessary to know English to use it. Overall, a really, really good device.

[@creativedesignation7880]

There is a surprisingly high rate of illiteracy in the US and in several other countries, so keeping the instructions free of any language is just reasonable.

[@ryanvargas4889]

“I tried to use the phone to dial an abundance for my friend having a heart attack and there was just this little box with paddles inside!”

[@anthonycampbell1726]

We had devices like this in shop rooms and other places in the college. It's definitely handy to have a electrical device that can turn your heart back on when a lot of the electrical equipment can turn your heart off quite quickly.

[@falsemcnuggethope]

Technically, a defibrillator will stop the heart when it's working erroneously. The heart will then recover normal operation by itself. If the device doesn't detect any activity from the heart, it won't do anything.

[@anthonycampbell1726]

@@falsemcnuggethope Ya, it has been quite a while since I took the course. Now that you mention it there are a lot of specifics I would have to look into again. Still handy to have in heart-altering voltage job sites.

[@buddyclem7328]

I was expecting emergency call boxes, but this idea is better.

[@asystole_]

But that's what they already were

[@encycl07pedia-]

@@asystole_ What? I thought those were regular phone booths.

[@varrjames186]

@@encycl07pedia- Yes they were...and from a regular phone you can make an emergency call.

[@encycl07pedia-]

​@@varrjames186 An "emergency call box" is not the same as a regular phone booth. Look for "blue light emergency station" and then look at a phone booth and you'll see the difference.

[@alexkirwan7146]

@humandxp thats just a public toilet...

[@felixkjornsberg]

"Life comes before dignity" if someone doesn't agree, they shouldn't be at the scene.

[@trickytreyperfected1482]

If the patient doesn't agree... well, then I guess they may end up dying.

[@helenm1085]

@@trickytreyperfected1482 the patient doesn't get a say, they're unconscious and not breathing. I have heard of someone getting upset after their life has been saved though. I hope that's just an urban legend

[@butterhambox]

@@helenm1085 it's not an urban legend. Some religious people dont want to be reanimated, so in the US en possibly elsewhere you can 'opt out' of it.

[@butterhambox]

@@helenm1085 it's not an urban legend. Some religious people dont want to be reanimated, so in the US en possibly elsewhere you can 'opt out' of it.

[@nanderv]

​@@butterhambox I don't know about the USA, but in the Netherlands this is (at least in some cases) non-enforcable. You cannot enforce someone (non-medical) to not help you in cases where you're about to die / suffer great harm. The DNR kinda things mostly tell medical people: when assessing the situation, bear in mind that my preference is death over slim chances, and a zero-chance at something resembling full recovery.