Automated External Defibrillators have improved and their prices have come down over the last few years. This blog post outlines the changes in both AED devices, technology, and prices for the US AED market. In addition, we will discuss the first game-changer innovation for a portable AED that we have seen in years. An AED is a costly investment and this article we hope will help you make an informed and educated decision on which AED to purchase.

Heart disease and Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)are what we call silent killers. In fact, SCA is the third leading cause of death in the US. Many individuals are at high risk due to heart disease but what many don’t know is that SCA can happen to anyone at any time. Healthy individuals and even professional athletes are not immune. On Sunday, January 14th, Tottenham Hotspur and Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen was the victim of sudden cardiac arrest. Eriksen went into cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland. Club medical staff quickly rushed to his side and administered CPR but it wasn’t until they noticed his heart had stopped beating that they called for emergency support. AED prices have been falling steadily over the last few years so when the coach immediately started. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was immediately used by the medical team to shock Eriksen’s heart back into rhythm before he was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Eriksen has made a full recovery but this high-profile case of SCA reminds everyone that it could happen at any time.

Automated External Defibrillator

An automated external defibrillator is a device that provides a jolt of electricity to the heart, as is needed during cardiac arrest. Defibrillators are commonly found in public spaces such as airports and malls and businesses. Defibrillators are also found in hospitals, ambulances, and fire departments. Defibrillators have been available for decades but over the last few years, AED prices have fallen significantly as innovations with defibrillation technology have improved dramatically. Each AED manufacturer in the US has a great line of proven life-saving devices for emergency medical services.

Ongoing AED Maintenance

In the United States, each state has its own AED laws. This makes it more important to comply with any AED program in your area. Reference our AED State Laws database to stay up to date on your state.

Expired Accessories Management

AED’s have two different types of consumables, the defibrillator pads, and the battery that powers the device. These replacement supplies should be factored into the ongoing cost of ownership with each AED on the market.

AED Readiness Checks

An extremely important part of required compliance for owning an AED no matter what your state AED laws require is performing monthly AED readiness checks and recording that information for audit and compliance.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden Cardiac Arrest often referred to by its acronym SCA, is defined as a sudden and unanticipated cardiac arrest. This condition leaves the heart in a state where it’s not pumping blood to the brain or other organs properly, which can result in death if left untreated for too long. Defibrillators are used as an emergency treatment when SCA occurs. They may be administered by paramedics, fire, and rescue as well as untrained bystanders.

Chain of Survival

The “Chain of Survival” refers to the series of events that must happen in short succession to increase your survival rate if you witness what you think is a possible sudden cardiac arrest. The “Chain of Survival” is a metaphor used to educate the public about their vital role in helping SCA victims developed by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.

The links in the Chain of Survival are:

1. Recognize SCA: If a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 911.
2. Call 911: Call 911 to get help Immediately
3. Start CPR: Start CPR to triple the chance of survival. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest (100-120 pumps/minute).
4. Use AED: Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restart the heart. Follow the step-by-step audio/visual instructions given by the AED.
5. EMS response: Transfer care to emergency medical professionals, as they will provide advanced life support.
6. Hospital Care: Hospital professionals will continue integrated post-cardiac arrest care, including mild therapeutic hypothermia.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a technique that combines chest compressions with artificial ventilation. CPR is meant to preserve intact brain function in someone who has experienced cardiac arrest until further measures can be taken to return spontaneous circulation and breathing back into the body. It is recommended when someone is responsive but unresponsive with abnormal breathing like gasping or agonal respirations.

Agonal Breathing or Respirations

Agonal respiration is a distinctive pattern of breathing accompanied by gasping, labored breathing, strange vocalizations, and myoclonus. Possible causes of AEDs include lack of oxygenated blood, brain injury from accidents or trauma, and/or low blood sugar due to diabetes.

The main thing to take away from the above explanation regarding CPR and agonal breathing is that it is extremely important to both recognize an SCA event and provide immediate CPR and defibrillation to increase the survival rate of the victim. Read on below to find out how technology can actually provide a victim of SCA with more oxygen and possibly a higher survivability rate just by using a specific model of AED.

Revolution in Technology

Although AED’s have been improved with both reliability and their technology to recognize and treat SCA we have recently just been introduced to what we think is a game-changer in technology. Physio-Control announced the retirement of their tried and true CR Plus AED recently, although they will making the accessories for the CR Plus until the 8-year warranty is up on the last devices sold. They release their replacement technology the CR2 AED which is a special AED.

Reducing the time you’re not performing CPR is one of the most important actions during resuscitation. Professional organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) have updated and revised CPR guidelines in light of dismal survival rates since 2008. The guidelines now emphasize the need for minimal pauses.

Older AED technology requires rescuers to pause for 10 seconds or more; reducing hands-on time, blood perfusion, and survival rates. “Stryker’s exclusive LIFEPAK® CR2 defibrillator with cprINSIGHT Analysis Technology is the first and only AED that features a proprietary algorithm that improves hands-off time and reduces or eliminates pauses associated with ECG analysis and defibrillator charging. The device analyzes the patient’s ECG. A reduction in pauses improves the circulation of blood, which helps people undergoing an AED to have better outcomes.

CprInsight Technology

CprINSIGHT Technology automatically analyzes and detects if a shock is needed. If a crashing rhythm is detected, the AED device will allow for a smaller pause time before delivering a shock. If no shock is advised, the pause for analysis is eliminated altogether and CPR can continue uninterrupted. This is an automatic device that requires no judgment calls and does not require accessories or confusing tools.

In both the shock advised and no-shock advised situations, two prompts asking for confirmation are now eliminated. This saves up to 10 seconds during resuscitation.

In an AED comparison study, the LIFEPAK CR2 with cprINSIGHT was rated highest in overall CPR quality and easiest to use.

AED Pricing

The prices of AEDs have fallen to very affordable rates of around $900 to $2000 depending on the features and addons needed for your application. Some items that affect cost are if you need separate pediatric electrode pads or not. Some AED’s have separate pads for adults and younger victims often called pediatric victims. In fact, most AED manufacturers define the use of pediatric pads for children under 8 years old or any individual less than 55 pounds. Some newer AED’s like the Physio-Control CR2 uses a single set of electrode pads but the AED can be changed to pediatric settings by the responder without having to change the electrode pads. It is another example of Physio-Control focusing on keeping the hands on the victim with their CPRInsight as well as shortening the time to shock for the victim with single sets of pads for all victims.

An additional feature that can directly affect the price of your AED is if multiple languages are needed. Many of our customers are asking for a bilingual AED. Most AED’s can be purchased for a single language but the Physio-Control CR2 for example can be purchased with English and Spanish on one device that all the user has to do is switch at any time from one language to another on the fly.

AED Accessories

The cost of replacement accessories needed to maintain any AED and how often you must replace those electrode pads and batteries should all factor into your cost of ownership. For example, some AED’s have pads that last 2 years before expiring, and others last 4 years and even up to 7 years. The batteries can be from 4 years to 7 years as well. This ongoing cost of the accessories divided by the time they last before expiring should be factored into your overall ongoing cost of ownership for each device. You should finally factor into your decision any additional cost for each AED like pediatric pads or backup pads and batteries if that is part of your emergency action plan to have contingencies built into your AED program.

AED Packages

At AED USA we have put together some great AED packages to give you more with less cost. Most AED packages we sell included the new AED along with a wall cabinet to securely store your AED, as well as a 3 way AED sign and responder kit.

People Also Ask:

Which AED defibrillator is best?

The best AED is one that meets your exact needs. There are so many different options and technologies out there today we created an amazing AED Buyer’s Guide to help you make your decision. One of our trained AED specialists will also answer any of your questions and help you find the best AED for your needs.

What are the dangers of a defibrillator?

Risks outlined by the Mayo Clinic

• Infection at the implant site.
• Allergic reaction to the medications used during the procedure.
• Swelling, bleeding or bruising where your ICD was implanted.
• Damage to the vein where your ICD leads are placed.
• Bleeding around your heart, which can be life-threatening.