AED Features: What Should I Look For in an AED?

Written by
DiaMedical
Published on August 31, 2021 at 1:01:00 PM PDT August 31, 2021 at 1:01:00 PM PDTst, August 31, 2021 at 1:01:00 PM PDT

AED features can be compared to purchasing a new car. When acquiring a new car, most individuals carefully analyze the various choices and amenities. They choose which characteristics are necessary and which are not, such as comfort, quality, convenience, safety, appearance, and fuel efficiency. People who live in hot areas frequently avoid heated steering wheels in favor of air conditioning. Some consumers are concerned with safety features such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, while others are interested in wireless phone connections and high-quality sound systems.

Choosing features for a new car is a thrilling experience. People are looking forward to driving their new car in safety and comfort. It is significantly more difficult to determine which aspects are most necessary for medical supplies. It's frightening to consider whether or not emergency equipment will be required, let alone how it will be used. Here are some key qualities to look for when buying an AED.


What is an AED? (Automated External Defibrillator)

An AED is a small medical device used to re-establish a normal heart rhythm in persons who have suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). An AED analyzes the person's heart rhythm and, if necessary, administers an electrical shock. The shock temporarily pauses the heart so that it can resume normal pumping and relaxation when it restarts. AEDs are placed in public places so that ordinary people can treat cardiac arrests before emergency medical assistance arrives.

Non-medical personnel with minimal training can use current AEDs to save lives. People who do not have a pulse as a result of SCA are unable to wait for EMS. Permanent brain damage and death will occur within 3-5 minutes, and EMS response time in remote regions can take 30 minutes or longer. If a person with SCA does not receive prompt CPR and defibrillation from bystanders, he or she has essentially no chance of survival.


What Is The Most Popular AED?

People frequently buy the same model of car year after year because the controls and amenities feel familiar. They don't have to figure out how to add preferred radio stations or how to use the cruise control. If your facility or organization has never had an AED before, the Philips HeartStart OnSite is a good choice. The Philips HeartStart OnSite AED is most widely used by CPR training programs, and rescuers who are assisting a person in cardiac arrest may be familiar with it.

The Philips HeartStart OnSite is the most often used AED in public spaces. The adult SMART pads are conveniently stored on top of the AED and are ready to use right away. During use, the voice instructions are repeated and re-repeated as needed. When the unique Infant/Child SMART pads cartridge is used, the CPR instructions and shock energy are automatically adjusted. The battery has a four-year lifespan, and the pads should be replaced every two years.


AED Features Extra Durability - Ingress Protection Rating

Some AEDs are intended for indoor usage only, while others can be used outside in harsh conditions. Ingress Protection (IP) ratings describe how well a gadget is protected from the elements. On a scale of 1-6, the first number in the IP Rating shows protection against foreign objects/dust. On a scale of 1 to 8, the second IP value represents water resistance.

The Philips HeartStart FRx AED is one of the most durable on the market, making it perfect for use in campers and construction sites. It is an excellent choice for tactical rescue and first aid packs. The IP55 certification of the FRx indicates that it may withstand sustained, low-pressure water jet spray but should not be submerged in water. For further protection in rainy outdoor environments, a waterproof hard-shell travel bag is available.

After being dropped 1.6 feet (0.5 meters) onto concrete or tile surfaces, the FRx can be used securely. It can also withstand a crushing force of up to 1100 lb (500 kg) uniformly spread throughout the AED. The FRx case does not totally prevent dust from entering the device, but it does not interfere with function or operation. The FRx can endure temperatures ranging from 32° to 122° F (0° to 50° C). An audible metronome assists rescuers in performing effective CPR. The HeartStart FRx works in the same way as the HeartStart OnSite, so rescuers may recognize it. The battery has a four-year lifespan, and the pads should be replaced every two years.


AED Wifi Connectivity Features and Capability

WiFi connectivity is beneficial to organizations that maintain AEDs in several locations in order to keep track of battery capacity and battery/pad expiration dates. Wi-Fi-enabled AEDs automatically provide reports from their daily, weekly, and monthly self-tests, allowing organizations to maintain compliance. If the AED is utilized, hospitals can remotely obtain patient data if necessary.

LIFELINKcentral is a subscription service that monitors and maintains AEDs for businesses. It gives alerts when the state of an AED changes, as well as notifications when the batteries and electrodes are set to expire. LIFELINKcentral is intended for use with LIFEPAK and Physio-Control AEDs, however, it is also compatible with AEDs from other US manufacturers. Organizations can also have LIFELINKcentral monitor additional safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and first-aid kits.

The LIFEPAK CR2 AED includes wireless 802.11 WiFi connectivity and comes with a 12-month subscription to LIFELINKcentral. The LIFEPAK CR2 WiFi can also be used to notify EMS about a cardiac arrest incident. Responders can be notified of event details such as the patient's heart rhythm and shocks delivered before they arrive, ensuring continuity of emergency care. The LIFEPAK CR2 is also the first AED that permits chest compressions during heart rhythm analysis, eliminating gaps between CPR and defibrillation. Every four years, the battery and pads should be replaced.


Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Children & Infants

Most AEDs are pediatric-capable, meaning they can safely defibrillate newborns and children under the age of 8 and weighing less than 55 pounds. Pediatric pads are smaller and come in a variety of colors, with drawings of a little child or infant on the packaging. Some AEDs require low-energy pediatric pads, while others necessitate the rescuer inserting a special pediatric key into the device. Other AEDs include built-in functionalities that allow rescuers to convert between adult and pediatric modes with the press of a button.

With CPR Uni-Padz and a Child Mode Selection Button, the Zoll AED 3 can defibrillate both pediatric and adult patients. If the patient is under the age of eight or weighs less than 55 pounds, a voice prompt instructs rescuers to hit the Child Selection Button. The button illuminates to signify that the Zoll AED 3 is in Child Mode, ready to defibrillate a pediatric patient. Child Mode correctly understands juvenile cardiac rhythms and gives lesser energy doses than Adult Mode.

Sensors in the Zoll AED 3 instantly translate Uni-Padz CPR compression data into real-time feedback for rescuers. If compressions are too shallow, rescuers are instructed to push harder, and to increase the rate if compressions are too slow. A CPR cycle timer with a large color bar gauge for CPR compression depth is displayed on a high-resolution LCD touchscreen display. The Zoll AED 3 also has built-in WiFi for automatic device status reporting. Every 5 years, the battery and pads should be replaced.


Additional Languages for Accessibility

Some AEDs may deliver speech prompts in a variety of languages. This is a critical characteristic for multicultural companies and settings. Despite the fact that all AEDs provide visual guides, step-by-step spoken instructions are critical for rescuers with no medical experience. Voice instructions are regarded as a crucial factor of successful AED use, particularly correct electrode pad insertion and safe defibrillation shock delivery. Multi-language AEDs expand the pool of prospective rescuers, particularly in public places.

The Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 AED allows rescuers to simply switch between two languages at any time during the rescue by pressing a button on the device's front. The AED then gives all visual and verbal prompts in the language of choice. When the lid is closed, the gadget automatically returns to the default language.


Languages available on the Powerheart G5 include:

-English

-Spanish

-French

-German

-Italian

-Dutch

The Powerheart G5 includes the RescueCoach AED feature, which includes user-paced prompts that walk rescuers through the defibrillation process step by step. CPR instruction is provided to ensure proper technique. RescueCoach watches the rescuer's efforts to verify that each crucial duty is completed before going on to the next. Furthermore, Intellisense CPR (ICPR) technology gives corrective suggestions to assist rescuers of all skill levels in doing high-quality CPR throughout the rescue. To ensure that CPR quality meets the most recent AHA criteria, ICPR measures and monitors each compression and delivers feedback via voice and text. The battery lasts four years, and the pads must be replaced every two years.


What AED Features Are Most Important to You?

When buying a new car, people carefully assess which features are most important to them. When choosing a technology that could save someone's life, care must also be taken. AEDs with high IP ratings, such as the Philips HeartStart FRx, are required for outdoor use. WiFi connectivity allows large businesses with several AEDs to keep track of the status of each device. In the event that rescuers need to defibrillate a child, the Zoll AED 3 features an integrated pediatric mode. AEDs that can deliver instructions in different languages enable more bystanders to assist in an emergency.


Who should buy an AED? 

Sudden Cardiac Arrest can strike anyone at any age, at any moment. AEDs are defibrillators that are simple to use and can be the difference between life and death. To use an AED and prevent Sudden Cardiac Death, you do not need to be a medical practitioner. While waiting for EMS, you or anyone nearby can use an AED to provide a defibrillation shock. You can rest easy knowing that you have an AED on hand to save someone's life.


AEDs should be located in all public access areas including:

-Schools

-Health And Fitness Facilities

-Stores And Shopping Malls

-Swimming Pools

-Airports

-Offices

-Public Transportation


Fast AED Facts

1. Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrests occur in the United States

2. 45% of people survive out-of-hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest when bystanders immediately administer CPR and defibrillation

3. All 50 U.S. states have enacted laws that require AEDs in various public places and protect rescuers from liability