Defibrillators

Defibrillators can be life savers that should be in most public venues and private offices. By passing a controlled electric current across the heart, an AED defibrillator can shock a fibrillating or tachycardia heart back into a normal sinus rhythm. Because having a home defibrillator close by in an emergency allows necessary interventions before the ambulance can arrive, keeping a few in your building or home, along with the training to properly use them is a wise plan.

Power Packs

The power pack is the basic unit of a defibrillator. This blocky unit is usually made from durable plastic and contains the battery, capacitors and electronic controls that make the machine's work possible. All AED defibrillators must meet a minimum standard to be effective, and the various models that meet those standards mostly vary by battery size and life, as well as by the sophistication of their programming. Good defibrillators feature a voice-command system that talks even untrained novices through the shocking procedure, greatly reducing the risk of mistakes at a critical moment.

Paddles in Various Sizes

Defibrillators deliver their shock through paddles, and most AEDs have flexible, single-use pads that stick to the patient's skin and are made from a medical-grade nylon that’s similar to blood pressure supplies . These paddles have diagrams etched on them to demonstrate correct placement, which helps to keep mistakes to a minimum, and their powerful adhesive forms an electrically conductive bond through which a current can flow with little resistance. Pads come in different sizes, from large adult pads to small pediatric pads for children, but all use the same interface and can be wound up to fit easily inside an AED case to keep them at the ready.

Defibrillator Accessories

These kits usually come with certain accessories to make the process as safe and easy as possible. For example, some AED kits contain disposable safety razors in case the patient's chest needs a quick pass to eliminate hair that can interfere with the pads' seal. Other accessories include gloves, alcohol prep pads and diagnostic tools such as a disposable stethoscope. For units that don't come with a plug to recharge their fixed batteries, it's important to keep spare batteries and a charger near the defibrillator unit. Test these on a regular basis, ideally with a battery tester, and change them as needed.

Carrying Cases

You can keep your AED safe, and organize all of the accessories in one place, with a convenient carrying case. These cases are often made of tough nylon, though some are hard plastic or soft leather. Mobile AEDs are usually carried in a case with a strap or handle, while stationary units can be housed in a strong fixed case. AED cases often have glass faces, and many lock to keep the unit safe inside. Some units are designed with alarms that automatically alert security or other on-site staff to the emergency when they're opened, thus reducing alert time and speeding up the arrival of trained professionals to the scene of a medical emergency.