12 Things To Look For On Choosing Best AED For You

12 Things To Look For On Choosing Best AED For You

In a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease, cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function. It can arise unexpectedly, or in the midst of other symptoms. If necessary precautions are not taken promptly, cardiac arrest is often fatal.Anyone, including a person who seems healthy, can suffer cardiac arrest. AEDs work by creating a tiny electrical charge that can restore the heart of a patient to the proper rhythm. AEDs, particularly for people without a medical experience, are easy to use. However to ensure you get a good tool, there are few things you need to know before purchasing an AED.

What is AED?

Automated external defibrillators have helped resuscitate sudden cardiac arrest) patients successfully and save lives without difficult medical experience for both emergency responders and ordinary people. AEDs work by creating a tiny electrical charge that can restore the heart of a patient to the proper rhythm. While simple-to-use portable defibrillators are just a few decades old, AEDs are so successful at saving lives that a staggering 70 percent rise in SCA survival rates is projected.

How Does AED work

An AED unit and components, such as a battery, pad electrodes and if necessary, an adapter, are used in an AED system. The systems give users verbal instructions. This how they work:

• The user clicks the AED on and follows the prompts from the speaker. When the user lifts the lid, several systems turn on automatically.
• The user connects two sticky sensor pads (called electrodes) to a person's chest during cardiac arrest.
• The electrodes transmit information to a processor in the AED about the person's heart rate, and then analyzes the rhythm to figure out whether an electric shock is required.
• The AED uses voice prompts to tell where to press a button to administer the shock if a defibrillation shock is desired. The voice reminders in several devices declare that a shock is about to be delivered and the AED releases the shock without the consumer interfering.

Things To Consider Before Buying AED

1. AED Features - Simplicity, efficiency and durability are the most critical characteristics of an AED. A few AEDs are resistant to water, while others are shock-resistant to falling damage.

Semi-automatic and fully automatic AEDs are sold in two categories. After the operator presses the deliver-shock switch, semi-automatic defibrillators only deliver a shock. Completely electronic defibrillators shock when a shocking heart rhythm is detected by the device.

2. Ask questions about AED - You should ask lot of questions about AED like:

• What is the AED manufacturer's track record for recalls, support, and product quality?
• How will the company handle software updates for new treatment guidelines?
• When updates are required will you have to return the AED to the vendor or will they send a local representative to your station?

3. You should know the local and state requirements - Be sure to check with the requirement before buying an AED. To establish the criteria for equipping a car or a building with an AED, review relevant local and state legislation. Recent reports of proper AED inspection and repair are also required by local AED regulations. These documents may contain monthly AED inspection documentation, staff training records, maintenance or upgrade done, use and defibrillation pad and expiry dates of the battery.
4. Obtain A Medical Doctor Prescription - An AED purchase requires a prescription. AEDs are processed and marketed under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved guidelines. Most AED vendors will provide the prescription with your purchase. If not, call the medical officer for a prescription.

5. Determine Your Budget - Purchasing AED is really costly, the cost of a single AED may cost more £700. Packages include adult and pediatric defibrillation pads, batteries, storage case, and CPR accessories may range upto £900. In addition to the initial purchase of the AED and accessories, the AED's batteries and defibrillation pads may have to be checked regularly. Depending on the model, you can expect the pads to be replaced every two to three years and the batteries replaced every few years. Don't forget to include training expenses in your initial budget, particularly for your organization's non-EMS workers who will now have access to an AED. Provide daily instruction for refresher and recertification in AED use and CPR.
6. Find Grant Funding For AED Purchasing - Local foundations and voluntary associations could have AED grants available. Be sure that you access up-to-date grant information and beware of firms that claim they provide grant assistance, but then overprice the AED. In order to aid municipalities or first responder agencies with an AED purchase, several state and public health organizations have grant systems.
7. Purchase medical Direction and AED Management - To help keep your AED program consistent with local and state legislation for public access defibrillation standards, you can benefit from adding medical advice and AED maintenance kit to your purchase. System administration allows to quickly monitor expiry times, AED placement charts and AED qualified responders' status. In order to satisfy your individual needs, there are a range of web-based applications, remote monitoring systems and other services available.
8. The Setup Process - It remains important to use a compact, lightweight defibrillator that is easy to set up; otherwise, in an emergency, you can have difficulty administering CPR rapidly and effectively.
9. Long Battery Life - Life expectancy can vary to a great extent for AED batteries. Luckily, longer-life batteries will minimize your AED ownership overall expense and keep your device primed for use.
10. Voice Instructions - Try to find an AED that has simple voice directions to lead you through each defibrillation phase. Through doing so you will follow the guidance any step of the way to still provide successful CPR. 
11. Full Warranty - In a number of emergencies, an AED may be used and as a consequence, small bumps, bruises and dents may occur to your AED along the way. But with a complete warranty if necessary, you can replace this unit.
12. AED Training - How do you use AED? It is important to leverage a good AED training program, as this software would ensure you learn how to correctly operate the system.

In Summary

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is one of the top killers in the World. AED so it is so important to save the lives of Cardiac Arrest victims and it is so easy to use. If you are thinking of buying an AED, you should consider many things. It is not all about the price but you should also consider its features, warranty, its uses, and many more.