In Australia, approximately 27% of the reported deaths are caused by cardiovascular diseases. It has been noted that about 1.2 million people in Australia suffer from 1 or more cardiovascular conditions. Among them, nearly 2% of the population or 500,000 people, are reported to suffer from atrial fibrillation, more commonly known as arrhythmia. And these figures increase with age, as over 5% of all Australians aged 55 and above suffer from this condition.
So, whether you are a medical professional like a doctor or a person living with family members who suffer from these cardiovascular conditions, it becomes crucial to always keep a tab on them as and when the need arises and do everything you can to provide them with assistance. The rates of a patient’s survival greatly improve if treatment is provided immediately. Hence always keeping defibrillators sold by sellers such as Defibs Direct in Australia, as they can come in handy and go a long way in protecting the ones prone to suffer cardiac arrests. And this article shall explore how to find the right defibrillator specific to your needs.
What Is a Defibrillator?
A defibrillator is a piece of medical equipment that transmits a shock or an electric pulse to the body to restore the heart’s normal rhythm. These devices are meant to correct or prevent arrhythmia, where the heartbeat becomes abnormally fast or slow. If the heart stops beating, the defibrillator can restart the normal heartbeat too.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Defibrillator
1. Price
Depending upon the features, AEDs sold by reputable sellers usually cost upward of $1,000. Hence, there is no going around it, and it is the most crucial aspect to consider when buying defibrillators. Moreover, AED pads and batteries have an expiry, and their life cycle depends on the manufacturer. Batteries tend to last anywhere between 4 to 7 years, and pads tend to last for 2 to 4 years.
2. CPR Feedback
While the main job of an AED would be to inspect the heartbeat and send a shock, half the time, sending a shock wouldn’t be required. AEDs that produce CPR feedback can broaden their use to predict even non-Sudden Cardiac Arrest cases.
3. Clarity
During an emergency, it becomes necessary for you to hear the instructions being provided clearly. Most credible manufacturers, like Defibs Direct in Australia, have developed AEDs that provide clear and accurate instructions.
4. Shock
Different AEDs produce different amounts of power and have varying maximum limits of power they can provide during a single shock. The most common range of power supplied could be between 200 to 360 joules. Different sources suggest different amounts of energy as optimal ranges. Hence, you must study this aspect further and choose your preferred range.
5. Escalating Power
The consecutive shocks with increased power an AED sends out to correct the heartbeat when someone is suffering from cardiac arrest are known as escalating power. This concept is employed in most AEDs because low powers cause lesser damage. But there are schools of thought that have opposing views regarding optimal power. Nevertheless, it would help if you educated yourself about the pros and cons.
6. Training Mode
Most good AEDs come with training modes to help you get used to them. While these modes come with various benefits, there are also some economical alternatives if the main objective of buying an AED is to help in imparting training and not for real-life applications.
While these factors may seem plenty to consider, they help you choose the right AED per your requirements from credible sellers. And buying and maintaining such a device can go a long way in saving the lives of those who depend on you.
