Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are popping up everywhere: from your local shopping center to hotels, restaurants, churches, and the gym. You may have even seen a portable defibrillator at your school or workplace. More and more people are finding out that AED use in cases of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can save lives. And having an automated external defibrillator on hand, such as the Philips Heartstart FRX, Zoll AED Plus, Lifepak CR Plus and Lifepak 500, to name a few, means fast and effective treatment during an SCA emergency.
What is an AED?
Automated external defibrillators help SCA victims by delivering a jolt that resets the heart into a normal rhythm. In an SCA emergency, every second counts. For every minute that passes without treatment after an SCA attack, chances for survival decrease by 7-10%. That means AED use and CPR must take place within four minutes to ensure the best chances of survival. But with emergency response times averaging 8-12 minutes, it’s easy to see why having an AED nearby is critical. Fortunately, if you find yourself in an SCA emergency situation, you don’t have to be a pro to master the use of an AED.
Automated External Defibrillators: Not Just for “Joe Pro”
Instead, basic life support (BLS) automated external defibrillators are actually made to be simple to deploy for the “Average Joe.” Very easy to use, BLS AEDs are designed to help the ordinary do extraordinary things in the face of life and death. Generally, automated defibrillators do most of the work for you. AEDs automatically analyze the victim and determine if a shock is necessary. But whether or not a shock is necessary, the AED will tell you exactly what to do. So essentially, with just the press of a button, a life can be saved.
Automated external defibrillators are equipped with a number of features that coach you through every step of the rescue, from assessing the victim, to applying electrodes, to delivering a shock. These user-friendly features include voice commands, text-prompts, pictures, and light-up buttons for each step. And some BLS AEDs go as far as reminding you to call 911 or providing feedback on your CPR.
While there are many external defibrillators on the market for the minimally-trained, not all of them are made to be. Advanced life support (ALS) defibrillators are designed for use by emergency medical personnel. They can be outfitted with extra features, such as ECG, manual shock override, and more. However, most defibrillators displayed in public areas, such as AEDs, are made for BLS.
AEDs and Children: A Good Mix?
According to the American Red Cross, they are. Automated external defibrillators can be used on children between ages 1 and 8, or who weigh less than 150 pounds. However, the AED in use must have child capabilities. That means the AED has a key to limit energy output to a child-friendly level or comes with electrodes specially made for children. And depending on the brand and model, AEDs can detect when child electrodes are being used and auto-adjust energy output levels accordingly.
AED Training 101
Even though automatic external defibrillators can be used with minimal-to-no training, it’s always a good idea to sign up for an AED certification course. Many courses combine AED and CPR, which leaves you better prepared to save a life. AED training courses can be completed in a classroom or online. However, remember to make sure your class is nationally-accepted and compliant with the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or American Safety and Health Institute.
Buying an Automated External Defibrillator
If you opt to buy an automated external defibrillator, there’s one more thing to consider. Many AEDs require medical oversight from a physician. Because AEDs are prescription devices, the FDA requires end-users to have a medical prescription for each automatic external defibrillator owned.
However, medical authorization shouldn’t stop you from owning an AED. Restaurants, churches, and other non-medical establishments are able to buy AEDs because there are services that help them manage their AED programs and keep them compliant with local legislation. Services like En-Pro provide free medical director oversight, authorization, certification management, online tracking, and more. But before you choose a service, you should learn more about your state’s specific AED legislation to get a feel for how much medical oversight involvement is needed.
Find the Right Automated External Defibrillator for Your Needs
Whether you’re looking for an AED that’s easy to use or features advanced capabilities, Progressive Medical International can help you choose the right AED and AED accessories for your establishment. PMI sells new and refurbished automated external defibrillators for home and EMS use with a variety of features.
Zoll AED Plus