What is an AED?

An AED (or Automated External Defibrillator) is a life saving device that restores normal rhythm to the heart of a victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the leading cause of death in the western world. Each year almost 30,000 people die in Australia from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. It strikes suddenly and without warning. A victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest collapses immediately, as the heart beats chaotically (fibrillates) unable to pump blood through the body. The only hope of survival is access to a defibrillator within minutes, combined with CPR. For every minute of delay there is 10% less chance of survival.

How does a Defibrillator work?

By delivering a therapeutic shock to the heart through electrodes (pads) placed on the victim’s chest, a defibrillator polarises a critical mass of cells in the heart muscle. This allows the heart’s natural pacemaker to restore normal rhythm to the heart.

What is a Public Access Defibrillator?

A public Access Defibrillator (PAD) is a defibrillator that is specifically designed for the lay rescuer. It provides visual and voice prompts, and enables a member of the public with minimal or no training to effectively save a life.

What is so good about the patented CPR advisor technology that is found on the HeartSine Samaritan 500P?

Effective CPR can increase the chance of survival for Cardiac Arrest to 85%. This technology has been developed by specialist research into a whole host of parameters that are used to monitor CPR effectiveness in real time – things such as End-Tidal CO2, Cardiac Output, Carotid Flow and Impedance Cardiogram. These are the things an advanced lifesaver with all the right gear would normally do – however it has all been correlated into this simple device for the lay rescuer. It simply tells you to push harder or push faster, or that you are doing good compressions. And it is specific, in real-time, to the victim. So it will advise the correct compressions for a big victim, just as it will do so for a smaller victim. (Please note, this CPR advisor technology automatically is disabled when the paediatric pad-pak is used ie for children 1 to 8 yrs, or up to 25kg). Learn more about the CPR Advisor on the 500P

Can I be sued for using a defibrillator?

Have you heard of the Good Samaritan Act? All Australian states and territories have enacted “Good Samaritan” laws that offer legal protection to a person who gives assistance in a medical emergency. The entire purpose of this legislation is to encourage people to assist strangers in need without the fear of legal repercussions from an error in treatment. This protects the lay rescuer from liability. No one will succeed in suing a lay rescuer for appropriate use of an AED, because that would result in everybody refusing to assist, which in turn would result in a complete reversal of the whole lifesaving introduction of AEDs.

You are more liable if you do nothing, than if you do what has been proven to save lives! No matter how many times you press the shock button, a Public Access Defibrillator will not administer a shock unless there is a shockable rhythm present. By simply following the voice prompts, you can be a life saver. Learn more about the Legal Liabilities for Assitance and Lack of Assistance.

Can I just call an ambulance instead of using a Defibrillator?

You must call an ambulance. The device will prompt you to do this in the first place. However you cannot afford to wait for the ambulance with Sudden Cardiac Arrest, as it will be too late. You only have minutes to save the victims life. For every minute that the heart is in fibrillation, there is a corresponding 10% lower chance of survival. Ambulance response times are typically 12-15 minutes (more for remote locations), so this is a very serious factor.

Who should have a Public Access Defibrillator?

Wherever people congregate, or any remote location even with very few people, there should be access to a Public Access Defibrillator: Airports, Fitness Centres, Sports Stadiums, Shopping Centres, Businesses, Places of Worship, Entertainment venues, Yachts, Farms… the list goes on and on. If an ambulance will take more than 2 minutes to arrive to your location, you can benefit from having a defibrillator, as irreversible damage starts within 3 to 5 minutes after circulation stops, and after around 10 minutes without circulation, it’s all over.

What is the HeartSine Samaritan PAD range of AEDs?

HeartSine have a range of Public Access Defibrillators that are compact, durable, cost-effective and simple to operate.

PAD 350P

Recommended for use in public areas, this rugged device has an 8-year warranty and a unique combined battery and pad-pack with a 4-year life from date of manufacture. After an event the complete pad-pak is replaced, which means you have a brand new battery for the next event. This is more cost effective than many other devices with expensive so-called long-life batteries when costed over the life of the device. Learn more about the PAD 350P

PAD 360P

The Samaritan PAD 360P only has one button – ON/OFF, ensuring straightforward operation for all levels of the rescuer. After analysing heart rhythm, the 360P will automatically deliver a shock (if needed), eliminating the need for the rescuer to push a shock button. The 360P features easy-to-understand visual and voice prompts that guide a user through the process, including CPR coaching. Learn more about the PAD 360P

PAD 500P

Our best seller by a factor of 10! – as well as being our flagship model. Why? Because it saves more lives! This device has all the features of the rugged 350P, with the addition of an exceptional life-saving technology, the highly advanced CPR advisor. This is more than just a defibrillator, yet the easiest of devices to use – in fact it is childs play to use one. Even in the event of a non-shockable rhythm, this is a life-saver as the device determines whether you are performing effective compressions. When you consider that 70% of all CPR is inadequately performed, it is not a hard decision to opt for the 500P. A device that maximises the chances of saving a life. And it could be your life! Learn more about the PAD 500P