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11-26-2021 at 03:43 PM
Background on cardiac arrest and defibrillators
For normal function, the heart needs organized electrical impulses to contract the muscles and pump blood throughout the body. A cardiac arrest occurs when the electrical system of the heart becomes chaotic and disorganized and the heart becomes still. This condition is known as ventricular fibrillation, and the best treatment to 're-start the heart' is an electric shock to the heart to jolt it back into its regular rhythm (defibrillation). Outside of a hospital environment, this shock can be delivered by automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
The use of automated external defibrillators for use at work, at home, in churches, gyms, restaurants, and other public and private locations is becoming more and more popular. Defibrillators can mean the difference between life and death in the case of heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest. A victim's chance of survival drops by about 10 percent for every minute that medical treatment is delayed, and permanent brain damage can occur in as few as five minutes. About 250,000 people die annually from cardiac arrest, often because emergency treatment is simply provided too late. By installing AEDs in public places and in homes where there is a risk of cardiac arrest, these easy-to-use defibrillators are projected to save thousands of lives each year.
How defibrillators work
AEDs are user-friendly, automated devices that typically use voice-prompted messages to guide the operator through the complete operating sequence. To begin, the operator peels the adhesive stickers from the backs of two electrodes, and places the electrodes on the bare skin of a victim's chest with one electrode over the heart and another slightly to the left. The defibrillator will then do an automated analysis of the victim's heart rhythm, and delivers a shock only if it diagnoses a cardiac arrest. Although the shocks are much smaller and more benign than those delivered by hospital defibrillators, it is still recommended that no one is in contact with the victim during the shock.
NOTE: The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends calling 911, performing CPR, and administering defibrillation in the event that a victim collapses.
Both the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross offer CPR and AED courses. The American Heart Association's "Heartsaver AED program" includes training in both CPR and AED use and can be completed in three to four hours. To find out more about Heartsaver AED, call 1-877-AHA-4CPR (1-877-242-4277). To find out more about AEDs at work, go to http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3185.pdf
How to find the best defibrillator for you
Shopping online is by far the easiest and best way to find the right defibrillator for you. You can compare multiple brands and models side by side, find the best price for the defibrillator you want, and can have the defibrillator shipped right to your door. Because it is a medical device, you will need authorization from a doctor to purchase a defibrillator; some sites that sell defibrillators will even obtain this prescription for you.
There are some common elements of all new defibrillators that you should be aware of. All automated external defibrillators on the market:
-are FDA approved
-save lives equally
-use visual and voice prompts
-use biphasic (two phase) shock
-come with a 5 year warranty
There are also some differences to consider when shopping for the right defibrillator for you:
Display/functionality- how easy the unit is to work, how large the display is, how detailed the voice prompting is, etc.
Battery costs- to compare battery costs, simply find out the battery life and multiply times the cost of the replacement battery to determine your battery costs.
Internal testing- all AEDs perform self-tests and will alert you if there is a problem. Make sure the electrodes are tested as well.
Accessories- different AEDs brands and models come with various accessories, such as carrying cases, spare electrodes, and so on.
Pediatric use- if you have a potential need to use a defibrillator on younger patients, make sure to find out if the AED you choose is safe for smaller persons.
Other features- there are other features of defibrillators (color, size, weight, and so on) that differ from one defibrillator to the next, and you might want to consider these other features as well. For example, some of the more advanced AEDs will talk people through CPR procedures in addition to the shock procedures.
Price- of course, price should be a consideration for any purchase you make, including defibrillators. Some sites will offer used defibrillators in addition to new ones.
Shipping- shipping costs add to the total cost of anything you buy online, including defibrillators. Compare shipping costs among online sites as they may vary. You might want to find out if shipping insurance is included or available as an option.