Defibtech LifeLine AED; Automated External Defibrillator, SCA, Purchasing AED, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, CPR

Purchasing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can be a difficult decision with numerous manufacturers to choose from and numerous different features. Therefore, understanding the differences and capabilities of each AED is key to selecting the proper AED for your organization. Over the course of six weeks, we will review the top six AEDs on the market today.

One of the most user friendly devices on the market today is Defibtech Lifeline AED. With its bright yellow color, built in handle, large buttons and clear voice prompts, the Lifeline has been designed to be clearly visible, easy to transport and very easy to use.

The Defibtech LifeLine has text, lights, and voice prompts to assist the responder through the rescue. This feature makes it easy for any responder, trained or not, to feel confident during a rescue that he or she will be able to help save a life.

The Defibtech LifeLine has pre-connected adult pads. The pads sit in a pocket in the back of the AED so that they are ready for use at any time. The Defibtech LifeLine offers a 5 year battery or a 7 year battery for its AED.

The newest feature on the Defibtech LifeLine is the CPR Coaching Metronome. The metronome feature helps the responder know the rhythm of the CPR compressions and how often to give them.

The Defibtech LifeLine has an IP rating of 55. This IP rating is one of the highest IP ratings for an AED. The IP ratings vary from AED to AED. When an AED receives its IP rating it means that, that particular AED has been put through the solid (dust) and water particle test.

The Defibtech LifeLine performs self tests daily, weekly, and monthly to ensure the AED is fully functional. The status indicator light will flash to let the responder know that this AED is rescue ready at any time.

Some of the major business sectors that have equipped themselves with the Defibtech LifeLine include the following:

• School Districts
• Construction Companies
• Government Entities
• Churches

HeartSafe America assists organizations all over the United States with implementing their AED Programs. One of the organizations that HeartSafe America has worked with is Pearland ISD, a school district in Texas. Pearland ISD owns the Defibtech LifeLine AEDs, and this school district has recently had to use the Defibtech LifeLine AED to receive a student who was at practice for his sport and collapsed. The student went into Sudden Cardiac Arrest and because Pearland ISD had the Defibtech LifeLine on site, this student had a fighting chance. This student survived Sudden Cardiac Arrest due to the fact that there was an AED present.

To view more about this story, CLICK HERE.

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about the Defibtech LifeLine AED and how to implement your AED Program. HeartSafe America’s goal is to educate the public about sudden cardiac arrest and how AEDs increase the survival rate.

AEDs in the workplace; automated external defibrillators, sudden cardiac arrest, SCA, CPR Training, OSHA

Many organizations struggle with the thought of purchasing an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the workplace due to the fact that many organizations are unaware of what the AED’s purpose is and how it can save lives. Understanding the benefit of an AED in the workplace could save a life.

Is there a benefit of having AEDs in the work place?

The answer to this question is absolutely!

In our continuous effort to educate the public about the benefits of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), HeartSafe recently blogged about the American Heart Association’s three minute from “drop to shock” rule. This clearly illustrates the benefit of having AEDs in the work place for several reasons.

It is a common misconception that local EMS are able to respond to the scene of an accident immediately. It is important to realize that the national average response time for local EMS ranges anywhere from 6 to 12 minutes. Being aware of this information is key to survival. With every minute that passes, a victim in sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) loses a 7%-10% chance of survival if not defibrillated. Unfortunately, a victim is facing only a 40% chance of survival if EMS arrives at the six-minute mark.

Envision a normal office setting and your colleague or business partner is sitting in a cubicle next to you and all of the sudden he starts having chest pains and loss of breath. He then falls out of his chair on to the floor unconscious. It appears he has had a heart attack which has lead to cardiac arrest. You immediately call 911 and the clock starts ticking. You quickly retrieve the AED onsite, begin CPR, then apply the pads of the AED on the chest and follow the guidance the AED verbally gives you to begin treatment. The device begins analyzation and tells you to push the shock button to deliver the first shock. Your colleague comes to and appears to wake up. You continue to care for him until EMS has arrived, but he is now conscious and can answer you when you speak to him. EMS finally arrives after 8 minutes and begins to care for him.

This example provides clarity on why having AED’s in the work place is a necessity! An article by the Department of Labor Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) states that in 1999 – 2000 815 out of 6339 fatalities (13%) in the work place were due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The conclusions of this article determined that “The earlier defibrillation is administered, the better chance at survival for the victim.” The proper placement and implementation of AEDs and CPR/AED Heartsaver training in the work environment helps “bridge” the gap between the time a victim has a cardiac event, to the time when EMS arrives on the scene to take over.

CLICK HERE to view the OSHA article.

Understanding what Sudden Cardiac Arrest is and accepting that it can affect anyone, at any age, at any given moment emphasizes the importance of AEDs in the work place. After all, the life you save may be great friend or colleague.

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about the benefits of AEDs in the work place. HeartSafe America's goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and how AEDs can increase the survival rate.

Defibtech Voluntary Recall; AED, Automated External Defibrillator, Battery Pack

Defibtech, manufacture of the LifeLine and the ReviveR automated external defibrillators (AEDs), has issued a voluntary recall on 5,000+ DBP-2800 Battery Packs.

Defibtech has issued a voluntary recall on 5,000+ DBP-2800 Battery Packs that were manufactured prior to June 2007. The reason for the voluntary recall is due to the fact that the automated external defibrillator (AED) may falsely detect an error condition during the charging for a shock and it could cancel the shock therapy even though it may be needed.

Defibtech has secured the serial numbers for all the affected DBP-2800 Battery Packs manufactured prior to June 2007. To see if your DBP-2800 Battery Pack is affected, CLICK HERE.

If your DBP-2800 Battery Pack is one of the affected battery packs, please contact Defibtech for details about getting the battery pack issue corrected as soon as possible.

To view more details about the Defibtech Voluntary Recall, CLICK HERE.

Contact HeartSafe America today for all your Defibtech AED and AED replacement accessory needs. HeartSafe America’s goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and how AEDs can increase the survival rate.

AED Replacement Accessories; Expiring AED Parts, Automated External Defibrillator, Good Samaritan

All Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have pads and batteries with expiration dates and must be replaced according to the expiration date.

Once an organization or company has equipped themselves with an automated external defibrillator (AED), it is imperative that inspections are performed on a monthly basis. Not only are monthly inspections a prerequisite for the Good Samaritan law, but it also reminds the organization when the pads and batteries expire.

Below are some commonly asked questions regarding replacement parts.

Why do my AED electrode pads expire?

• AED electrode pads are comprised of an adhesive gel and tin. Once they exceed their expiration date, they may not be able to function properly or will lose their ability to “stick” to a victim. Manufacturers cannot guarantee that the pads will function past their expiration date. Just like a band aid, AED electrode pads tend to dry out faster once exposed to air.

When do my pads expire?

• AED pads expire typically every two years. Manufacturers such as HeartSine and Zoll use a different formula which allows the pads to last longer than two years.

How often will I have to replace my batteries?

• Like the electrode pads, each manufacturer has a different expiration date. Battery expiration dates or shelf life can vary anywhere from 2 years to 7 years. The battery shelf life is not a set date and varies manufacturer to manufacturer. The shelf life date can usually be found on the battery.

Does my AED battery have an expiration date listed on it?

• Yes. Most batteries have an expiration date with the exception of Cardiac Science. Cardiac Science lists when the battery was manufactured versus the battery shelf life.

Should I purchase an extra set of pads or battery?

• This is not a legal statue or precedent that requires a spare pad be available. However, it is always a good idea to have an extra battery or set of pads, just in case the primary is not functionality proper. Most manufacturers will include a spare set of pads in their initial AED Ship Set.

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about replacement accessories for your AED or to place an order for your replacement accessories. HeartSafe America's goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and how AEDs can increase the survival rate.

Philips Voluntary Recall; AED, Automated External Defibrillator, Defibrillator

Philips has announced a voluntary recall on the Philips HeartStart OnSite and the Philips HeartStart FRx automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

The Philips voluntary recall that has been issued is for a small amount of affected Philips OnSites and Philips FRx AEDs. The reason for this voluntary recall is due to the fact that a relay in the devices is not up to Philips' performance standards. The affected relays came from one manufacture and were in a single lot. There have been no reports of the device's relay failing, but the potential of failure does not meet Philips' standards.

The Philips AEDs that were affected by the recall were manufactured during March 2010. Philips is contacting the customers directly in regards to this matter.

If you have not been contacted and you are concerned that your AED may be part of the recall, you can input your serial number and it will search their system to verify that your AED is or is not on the recall list. Click here to input your serial number.

It read more about the recall, please CLICK HERE.

Contact HeartSafe America if you have any questions regarding your AED, AED replacement accessories, or general questions about AEDs and Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Our goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest and how AEDs can increase the survival rate.