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Unlocking AED Selection: A Buyer’s Guide to purchasing the Ideal Defibrillator
Published 30/01/2024
When purchasing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for your organisation, several critical considerations can ensure you choose the right device:
✓ Effectiveness in Restoring Heart Rhythm
The primary function of an AED is to restore normal heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Look for devices with high success rates in delivering a shock to restore a regular heartbeat.
✓ Speed and Efficiency
AEDs need to analyse the heart rhythm quickly and accurately. Faster analysis and shorter charging times can reduce the delay in delivering a shock, which is crucial in emergencies.
✓ Reliability and Consistency
The AED should perform reliably in various conditions, such as different environments and temperatures. Consistency in delivering the right therapy is essential.
✓ Accuracy in Detecting Shockable Rhythms
The device should accurately detect shockable rhythms like ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) while avoiding unnecessary shocks for non-shockable rhythms.
✓ Ease of Use Under Stress
In an emergency, users might be under stress. AEDs with clear, intuitive interfaces, voice prompts, and visual aids can assist users effectively during high-stress situations.
✓ Adaptive Technology
Some AEDs adapt their shock delivery to the patient’s specific needs, which can improve outcomes. These devices adjust the energy level and shock waveform based on the patient’s condition.
✓ Post-Event Data Retrieval
AEDs that store and provide data about the event can be valuable for medical professionals and follow-up analysis. This data can help in understanding the event and evaluating the response.
✓ Compatibility with Resuscitation Guidelines
Ensure that the AED follows the latest resuscitation guidelines provided by authoritative bodies like Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) or the European Resuscitation Council (ERC).
✓ Intuitiveness
AEDs should be user-friendly. Look for devices with clear instructions and visual aids to guide users through the process. Training requirements for operation should also be considered.
✓ Reliability and Durability
Ensure the AED is reliable and durable. It should undergo regular self-checks to ensure readiness and functionality.
✓ Battery Life and Maintenance
Check the battery life and the ease of maintenance. Some AEDs have long-lasting batteries or self-tests that monitor battery life.
✓ Manufacturer Support and Warranty
Research the manufacturer’s reputation for customer support, warranty, and available resources for training and technical assistance.
✓ Regulatory Compliance
Ensure the AED meets all necessary regulations and guidelines in your region. Some places have specific requirements regarding AED placement, maintenance, and training.
✓ Training and Support
Adequate training for potential users is crucial. Consider whether the manufacturer provides training materials, courses, or support.
✓ Additional Features
Some AEDs come with additional features like CPR guidance, voice prompts, or real-time feedback that can enhance their effectiveness.
✓ Integration with Emergency Services
Some AEDs can alert emergency services automatically when in use. This feature might be beneficial, especially in larger business settings.
By considering these factors, you can select an AED that suits your organisation’s needs, ensuring the safety and well-being of colleagues and visitors in the event of a cardiac emergency.
Discover why Aero recommends HeartSine® and Lifepak® AEDs
Aero Healthcare serves as the primary distributor for HeartSine® Samaritan and Lifepak® CR2 defibrillators in the UK and the rest of EMEA, ensuring the widespread availability of life-saving equipment. We very much advocate this range of technologically advanced defibrillators that combine the very best in public access AED technology.
Investing in either a HeartSine® Samaritan or a Lifepak® CR2 AED is a great step forward as it can significantly increase the chance of survival for a casualty of any age suffering SCA from 5% to 85% – when combined with the other links in the “chain of survival” (1. early recognition and call for an ambulance / 2. early CPR / 3. early defibrillation using an AED / 4. early advanced medical care).
With either the HeartSine® or Lifepak® defibrillator which are both able to provide audible voice prompts that guide you through the process of defibrillation, you can be confident in making every second of your rescue efforts count. These AED devices in particular represent long term value for money and the very best chance for a positive patient outcome.
What’s the difference between a semi-automatic and fully automatic AED?
In the event of SCA, there are two types of AEDs that are available within the range of HeartSine® and Lifepak® AEDs that can determine the steps you take to respond to a cardiac emergency. Even if you don’t know the first thing about defibrillators, the type of defibrillator yourself or an organisation has can change the outcome of a cardiac emergency:
• Semi-Automatic Defibrillator
The first defibrillator option is a semi-automatic AED. The AED analyses the heart, and if a shock is warranted, the AED will say so and instruct the responder to press the shock button to deliver a shock. If the button isn’t pressed, no matter how badly the patient needs therapy, no life-saving “shock” will be delivered.
• Fully Automatic Defibrillator
The second option is a fully automatic AED (FAED). This type of AED analyses the heart, and if a shock is warranted, the AED will say so, instruct bystanders to stand back with no physical contact with the victim, and deliver a shock on its own.
HeartSine Samaritan 500P Semi-Automatic AED with CPR Advisor
A Key Link in the Chain of Survival
- 8-year Warranty
- Market Leading CPR Advisor active feedback
- Semi-Automatic Shock Delivery
- Easy to Operate with User-friendly Visual and Verbal Prompts
- Portable and Lightweight (1.75kg)
- Advanced Technology
- Combined Battery/Electrode in one replaceable Pad-Pak™ cartridge. Free replacement Pad-Pak after genuine use.
Lifepak CR2 Fully-Automatic AED with Wi-Fi
Connected. Ready.
- 8-year Warranty
- Wireless connectivity allows Rescue-Ready Remote Monitoring via Wi-Fi
- Fully-Automatic Shock Delivery with no User Input required
- Easy to Operate with User-friendly Verbal Prompts
- ClearVoice™ Technology detects background noise and adjusts volume accordingly for clearer instruction
- Child Mode delivers lower energy levels without having to change electrodes
- Bilingual Mode allowing to toggle between two pre-set languages.
Consult our AED Specialists about your Defibrillator needs
Contact the Aero team and a representative will support you with your purchase or any other AED related query.
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