Defibrillator - Buy a Heart Start Automated Defibrillator

An AED is called external because the operator applies the electrode pads to the bare chest of the victim, as opposed to internal defibrillators, which have electrodes surgically implanted inside the body of a patient. Internal defibrillators are only used in hospital and are the type you might have seen if you are a fan of the TV program ER.

The 'Automatic' part of the title refers to the machine's ability to analyze the patient's condition. Most of these heart start machines have spoken prompts, and some may also have visual displays to instruct the user. You can save a life even if you've never used one of these machines before although it is recommended that you receive some training in their use - or at least know some basic first aid and CPR techniques.

When a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest strikes, the electrical system of the heart short circuits, causing the heart to quiver rather than pump in a normal rhythm. It typically results in the abnormal heart rhythm know as ventricular fibrillation (VF).

Ventricular fibrillation usually happens without warning and the most of those who develop it have no previously recognized symptoms of heart disease.

Cardiac arrest most often happens at home or at work.

If someone you know or you work with suffers a cardiac arrest then their life is in your hands and the clock is ticking from the first second.

For the best chance of survival from a cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation then a defibrillator should be used within the first five minutes. And the sooner it is used the better the chances of success. One minute is much better than five minutes and more than five is a disaster.

Could an ambulance or paramedic crew reach your office or your home in less than five minutes? If not then the outlook is grim - less than 1 in 20 people survive a cardiac arrest at home or at work simply because a defibrillator just does not arrive in time.

Seat belts or airbags do not save every life in a traffic accident and a defibrillator will not save every person who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest. Yet many lives could be saved if more people could be reached more quickly.

Can you afford to take the chance?

Please read the detail on this page carefully.

Your actions from here on in could quite literally save a life!

Could you get access to an automatic defibrillator heart start machine in less than five minutes if someone near you had a cardiac arrest RIGHT NOW?

If not .... then what are you going to do about it?

Can you afford to buy a machine for your home? Can you persuade your boss or your employer to purchase one for work? Will you and your neighbors join together to buy one for your street or your building? Could you raise the small amount needed by sponsorship or by charity donations?

Please - do something to save a life. It could be your life that needs saving !

Very few people writing reviews have had to use this. I am no different, but I can speak of the benefits of purchasing.

I bought this for my mother for her 60th birthday. She has very high blood pressure and high cholesterol. There was always this worry hanging over our family. An anxiety that paralyzed all of us a little. We all worried that mom wouldn't see her grandchildren grow up. She worried too.

Since I gave her this (granted, unusual) gift, I know with certainty that the anxiety level has gone down. We've all watched the video (including Dad) and we all just feel better about my mother's health - because we know that we're prepared to help her. She still takes her meds, watches her diet, etc ... but when she gets pessimistic about her heart, we've laughed and said "Mom, we're gonna zap you back so quickly ... you think we'll let waste all that money?"

It's just nice to have it. It's not morbid at all. We don't feel helpless anymore - and Mom knows that we know what to do if anything happens.

Like everyone else, I hope it's never needed. But it was still worth the $$ for the peace of mind that we have. Mom enjoys life a little more, and we are happier.

Life is better when you can live it without worrying all the time. This makes us all worry a little less.

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At church today I came upon a man who had partially collapsed. Since I'm a physician, I stopped and offered aid. It turns out that he had a history of heart disease and was having some pretty concerning symptoms. To my dismay, we do not have an AED at our church (yet). We notified 911, and he was taken for medical care without any problems, but I was a bit worried there for a few minutes. While I'm trained in BLS, that is, at best, a temporizing measure. AEDs have a proven ability to diagnose and treat fatal heart rhythms. In my opinion, places of public gathering should consider purchasing one of these devices. I'll be working with our church to see if we can get one. I would have been a bit more relaxed waiting for EMS if I had had one of these today.

However, buying an AED is not a cure-all. I have been trained on these, and they are very simple to learn to use. However, I think it would be quite difficult for someone who had never used one use it correctly during the stress of a cardiac arrest. If you are considering buying an AED for home or public use, I strongly suggest reading the section on AEDs at the American Heart Association w