Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s)
What is an AED?
An AED is a life saving device that restores normal rhythm to the heart of a victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)?
SCA is the leading cause of death in the western world. Each year almost 30,000 people die in Australia from SCA. It strikes suddenly and without warning. A victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) collapses immediately, as the heart beats chaotically (fibrillates) unable to pump blood through the body. The only hope of survival is access to a defibrillator within minutes, combined with CPR. For every minute of delay there is 10% less chance of survival.
How does a Defibrillator work?
By delivering a therapeutic shock to the heart through electrodes (pads) placed on the victim’s chest, a defibrillator polarises a critical mass of cells in the heart muscle. This allows the heart’s natural pacemaker to restore normal rhythm to the heart.
What is a Public Access Defibrillator?
A public Access Defibrillator (PAD) is a device that is specifically designed for the lay rescuer. It provides visual and voice prompts, and enables the lay rescuer with minimal training to effectively save a life.
What is so good about the patented CPR advisor technology (i.e. the 500P)?
This technology has been developed by specialist research into a whole host of parameters that are used to monitor CPR effectiveness in real time - things such as End-Tidal CO2, Cardiac Ourtput, Carotid Flow and Impedance Cardiogram. These are the things an advanced life saver with all the right gear would normally do - however it has all been correlated into this simple device for the lay rescuer. It simply tells you to push harder or push faster, or that you are doing good compressions. And it is specific, in real-time, to the victim. So it will advise the correct compressions for a big victim, just as it will do so for a smaller victim. (Please note, this CPR advisor technology automatically is disabled when the paediatric pad-pak is used ie for children 1 to 8 yrs, or up to 25kg)
What about liability?
Have you heard of the Good Samaritan Act? This protects the lay rescuer from liability. No one will succeed in suing a lay rescuer for appropriate use of an AED, because that would result in everybody refusing to assist, which in turn would result in a complete reversal of the whole lifesaving introduction of AED's. It would be equivalent of manslaughter.
You are more liable if you do nothing, than if you do what has been proven to save lives! No matter how many times you press the shock button, a Public Access Defibrillator will not administer a shock unless there is a shockable rhythm present. By simply following the voice prompts, you can be a life saver.
Why not just call an ambulance?
You must call an ambulance. The device will prompt you to do this in the first place. However you cannot afford to wait for the ambulance with SCA, as it will be too late. You only have minutes to save the victims life. For every minute that the heart is in fibrillation, there is a corresponding 10% lower chance of survival.
Who should have a Public Access Defibrillator?
Wherever people congregate, or any remote location even with very few people, there should be access to a Public Access Defibrillator: Airports, Fitness Centres, Sports Stadiums, Shopping Centres, Businesses, Places of Worship, Entertainment venues, Yachts, Farms...the list goes on and on.
The HeartSine Samaritan PAD range
HeartSine have a range of Public Access Defibrillators that are compact, durable, cost effective and simple to operate.
PDU-400
Designed for home use this is a single use product. It has a 5 year warranty and battery life, with no replaceable components
PAD300P
Recommended for use in public areas, this rugged device has a 7year warranty and a unique combined battery and pad-pack with a 3.5 year life from date of manufacture. After an event the complete pad-pak is replaced, which means you have a brand new battery for the next event. This is more cost effective than many other devices with expensive so-called long life batteries, when costed over the life of the device.
PAD500P
All the features of the rugged 300P, with the addition of an exceptional life-saving technology, CPR advisor. This is more than just a defibrillator. Even in the event of a non-shockable rhythm, this is a life-saver as the device determines whether you are performing effective compressions. When you consider that 70% of all CPR is inadequately performed, it is not a hard decision to opt for the 500P. A device that maximises your chances of saving a life. And it could be your life!