Emergency Defibrillator Boxes

Considering getting an emergency defibrillator box for your organization? Continue reading to find out some more information on the topic.

Do AED Cabinets Need Power?

Should you be interested in getting an AED wall cabinet, you may have some questions regarding whether or not you need to keep the AED cabinet somewhere where it has access to a power supply. This is an important question as it is important that you store your AED correctly in order to avoid any circumstances in which you are unable to do anything as a result of the failure of your automated external defibrillator. The truth is that whether or not your AED cabinet requires power is entirely dependent on the type of AED wall cabinet that you choose to invest in.

The majority of AED cabinets do not require a power supply. The defibrillator itself does not require any power; however, some cabinets have a heating element that is used in order to keep the device at the right temperature in cold climates. This is important as storing the defibrillator at the incorrect temperature can result in its lifespan being shortened, and the device failing when you need to use it. For this reason, it is important that your AED wall cabinet is connected to a power source. Many AED cabinets also have an alarm flashing light that turns on when you open the cabinet.  

While some AED wall cabinets require a power source in order to properly function, there are some that do not. These cabinets typically operate by using batteries. Should you have an AED cabinet that requires batteries in order to operate, it is important that you ensure that the batteries are always charged and replaced when necessary. A failure to do so can result in the cabinet not functioning, and the AED failing when you need it most. If you have a stainless steel AED cabinet that operates on batteries, you should check the batteries at least once a month in order to make certain of the fact that it is fully operational. Failure to do so can result in you running into some legal issues due to you not properly maintaining and looking after your AED.

What is an AED Cabinet?

A simple first aid kit should typically include bandages, gauze, tweezers, antiseptic, and elastic bandages, as most people are aware. When the words “AED Cabinet” are used, few people know what they mean or why they are needed.

It’s important to understand what an AED is before you can understand why you need one in your home or workplace. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is an acronym for Automated External Defibrillator. EMTs handle more than 300,000 people who have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year. Nearly 92 percent of them do not make it. However, immediate CPR and the use of an AED to deliver an electrical shock can boost the chances of survival from less than 10% to between 30 and 45 percent. As a consequence, in the case of a cardiac emergency, several public meeting spots now have at least one AED present at all times.

While those who watch medical dramas are familiar with defibrillators, the AED was created with non-medical staff in mind. These self-contained units provide pictorial instructions on where to position the electrode pads and how to switch the system on, as well as a tone or voice command for when to deliver the electrical shock. AEDs also have failsafe protection to prevent people from shocking people who aren’t in cardiac arrest, and they have their own power supply.

Finding materials where you need them is one of the most difficult aspects of an emergency situation. Although large first aid kits with an AED are essential for survival, they are often tucked away in a cabinet or corner, making them difficult to locate, let alone access in an emergency. When coping with sudden cardiac arrest, time is of the essence because brain cells begin to die just five minutes after the heart stops beating. AED cabinets, on the other hand, make it easy to get first aid supplies as well as the AED itself. AED cabinets may be built into a wall or attached to a bank of cabinets, and are designed to fit in with the existing decor of a home or office. Some emergency AED cabinets go a step or two further than others by including not only a first-aid kit and AED, but also include a flashlight and fire extinguisher so that you can be prepared for any type of situation.

Businesses are allowed by law to have an OSHA-certified first-aid kit on hand. Many go beyond and beyond basic specifications by including a qualified kit from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Due to the high prevalence of sudden cardiac arrest, every company should implement and sustain an AED program that involves specific protocols and employee training. When most people are at work, they feel safe and secure, but when they get home, they fail to recognize the importance of emergency preparedness. In fact, an AED cabinet should be a standard feature in any workplace and home to protect not only workers but also those we care about from sudden cardiac arrest.

What Comes in a Defibrillator Kit?

If you’re thinking of investing in a new automatic external defibrillator (AED), make sure it’s the correct one for your home, workplace, or organization. We’ll look at what’s included with famous AEDs from Cardiac Science, Defibtech, HeartSine Philips, Physio-Control, and ZOLL in this article.

Purchasing an AED is a significant decision and a wise investment; but, with so many choices available, determining which defibrillator is best for you can be difficult. Our AED Starter’s Guide should assist you in determining the AED is best for you, and our Complete Guide to AED Manufacturers can provide you with an overview of the major AED manufacturers and how they vary.

AEDs that are manufactured by Cardio Partners generally come with the following items at no extra cost:

• AED check tags
• Ground shipping
• AED window decal
• A physician’s prescription
• A rescue-ready kit that includes scissors, gauze, a razor, a CPR mask, alcohol wipes, and bandages.

The device that you choose to purchase has a major effect on what comes with the AED. Some of the devices come with additional batteries and a warranty, whereas others do not. It is important that you see which accessories are offered with the AED that you choose to purchase. For this reason, it is crucial that you shop around in order to determine which AED is the best for you or your organization. Knowing what comes with your device means that you can be prepared for any specific situation that you may be required to deal with. Below we take a look at some of the most well-known defibrillator brands and the accessories that come with them.

ZOLL AED Plus

This is probably the most iconic device and it is as straightforward to use as it is convenient. The standard device comes with the following:

• A training disk
• CPR-D Padz
• A five-year warranty increases to a seven-year warranty upon registration of the device.
• Duracell type 123 lithium batteries
• A soft carrying case

Physio-Control LifePak CR2

In a similar fashion to the Cardiac Science Powerheart AED, this device can be configured to be a semi-automatic or fully automatic device. This AED comes with the following:

• An owners manual
• An eight-year warranty
• A USB cable
• AED lithium batteries
• A handle and case option
• Multiple defibrillation electrodes

Philips HeartStart Onsite AED

This is the only device that you can purchase that does not require a physician’s prescription for personal use. When you complete the purchase of this AED, you can expect it to come with the following:

• An eight-year warranty
• Philips HeartStart Review Express Software
• Lithium batteries with a four-year warranty
• An adult SMART pads cartridge
• A standard carrying case

Heartsine Samaritan PAD 350 AED

This Heartsine AED is an entry-level model. It is lightweight and compact and is also designed to be used in public spaces. When you purchase this device, you can expect it to come with:

• An eight-year warranty
• Heartsine Saver EVO Software
• A CPR poster
• A DVD that consists of a user manual
• A durable carrying case
• Heartsine Adult Pad-Pak
• A quick instruction card

Defibtech Lifeline AED

This is an award-winning product and when you purchase this device, you can expect it to come with the following accessories:

• A five-year warranty
• A five-year battery pack
• A user manual
• A Defibtech orientation DVD
• Defibtech lifeline adult pads
• A nine-volt lithium battery for lifeline AED checks
• A quick use card

Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 AED

This Cardiac Science defibrillator can be configured to be either a semi-automatic or fully automatic device. This means that as a user you can choose to press a button in order to deliver a shock, or you can allow the device to deliver the shocks automatically. You can expect the following accessories to come with the device:

• One set of adult defibrillation pads
• Semi-rigid carrying case
• Quickstart tool kit
• A serial communication cable
• A seven-year warranty
• IntelliSense lithium batteries

Secure Outdoor Defibrillator Cabinet

Should you require defibrillators even though you are in an outdoor area, there are some considerations that you should make concerning your wall-mounted AED cabinet. It is important that the outdoor cabinet is easily accessible in order to ensure that there are no complications when you need to use the device. A stainless steel cabinet is also a great choice due to it being extremely durable and being able to protect the AED inside from any unwanted forces.

You should also consider adding a sign close to the cabinets in order to ensure that they are visible and not too difficult to find. By doing so, patients in need of defibrillation should have a much easier time gaining access to the device.

AED Cabinet Alarms

All AED wall cabinets come equipped with an alarm in order to announce when there is a rescue in progress. These alarms are generally pretty powerful and as a result, are able to ensure the attention of anyone nearby. They generally emit a sound that is between 85 and 120 decibels. Having four programmable alarm settings also makes them perfect for any type of application.

It is also possible to connect the device to an external alarm connection. This can be done by wiring the AED cabinet to an existing external security system. Doing so ensures that the mounted cabinet is able to trigger the alarm system of the existing security system, alerting more people in the process. It is important to note that this is completely optional, and you are not required to do so.

The majority of AED wall cabinets have a mechanical door switch. These quality door switches are designed to allow for the long life and durability of the defibrillator stored inside the box. Coupling this with the low battery warning system ensures that the AED is always accessible and in working condition. The low battery warning system has an alarm that goes off whenever the battery of the alarm system needs to be replaced. In this way, you do not have to worry about constantly checking the battery of the box in order to ensure that everything is working properly.

Your AED cabinet should also consist of an audible alarm on and off switch. This switch is able to disable the alarm during maintenance or after the emergency has been dealt with. Defibrillators require constant maintenance in order to make sure that they are always ready to go, and this switch comes in handy in these situations. Should you need to perform maintenance on your defibrillator’s cabinet, related to the battery of the box, you can easily do so, as there is a single screw that secures the cover where the batteries are stored. By removing the screw, you can easily replace them and get everything back to being 100%.

When the door to an AED cabinet is opened, an audible alarm goes off. Alarms serve two purposes: they alert passers-by to a nearby medical emergency and they act as a deterrent to theft and tampering. On our site, you can purchase an alarmed AED cabinet.

Strobe lights are available on some cabinet alarms and are highly recommended because they offer a clear visual signal when hearing an alarm is difficult. The duration/type of noise that acts as an alarm is the final alarm choice to consider.

Considerations to Make Considering Your AED Wall Cabinet

AEDs, or automatic external defibrillators, are now widely available, which is a major step forward for public health. Sudden cardiac arrest can strike at any time, and waiting for help is all often too fatal.

Installing a portable defibrillator device can be difficult, but paying attention to the main safety criteria helps the process go more smoothly. The first and most important move is to have a fully functional and properly stocked AED cabinet; after that, it’s critical to create strategies for user training, awareness, and strategic AED locations.

Having an AED program in place in your institution can make the general public feel and act safer.

Types of Cabinets

There are a variety of AED cabinets that you can choose from, all with differing configurations. The primary difference with these cabinets relates to how they are installed onto the wall, as well as the way in which their alarm systems operate.

Wall Mounting

Consider the various AED installation options available:

Recessed cabinets are built into a wall and take up the least amount of space, but they can be difficult to install without disrupting interior electrical wiring.

Surface-mounted cabinets are mounted on the outside of a wall; they take up the most space, but they don’t require any wall modifications. Due to the AED wall cabinets being pretty bulky, it is extremely important that ADA regulations are considered when doing a new installation.

Semi-recessed cabinets protrude just a slight distance from the wall, incorporating the advantages and disadvantages of the two models above. Because of their combination of visibility and ADA compliance, semi-recessed cabinets are often chosen.

The Location of the AED Cabinet

Having a set of AEDs only becomes useful when there is a proper location plan implemented. There are a number of considerations that you should make when thinking about the placement of your AED wall cabinets in order to ensure that you get the most out of them. Having improperly placed cabinets can result in someone not being able to find one when they need the device, or even the device being too far away from the location where it is needed. Some of the factors to consider are discussed below.

High Risk

AEDs should be put in areas where there is a high risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Areas where people congregate (elevators, lobbies, etc.) or areas where physical activity is normal are the best examples (gymnasiums).

The Three Minute Rule

The rule of thumb for AED placement, according to the American Heart Association, is a three-minute response time. Any reaction time longer than three minutes decreases the probability of survival following cardiac arrest.

This ensures that an AED should be within 1.5 minutes of any given spot, allowing a rescuer to travel both ways and respond in time. Another smart tactic is to keep an AED near a computer.

Visibility

From all sides, an AED cabinet should be easily visible. The positions of AEDs should be clearly identified in the building and on any maps. As previously mentioned, publicity is critical in ensuring that an AED is difficult to ignore.

Accessibility

The construction of AED cabinets is subject to certain limitations [4] under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Most significantly, the cabinet handle must be no higher than four to 4.5 feet above the ground (depending on location) and no further than 4 inches from the wall. Visit here for a review of ADA regulations.

Considering the Best AED for Your Organization

Even if your defibrillator has been collecting dust for a while, it should still be able to assist you in the event of an emergency. It may be exposed to extremely difficult conditions depending on where it is put. It should be able to withstand the harshest conditions if it’s going to be on a ship or an oil platform in the middle of the ocean.

Finding out which manufacturer makes the AED that best suits your or your organization’s needs is the most important step. You must choose the appropriate defibrillator to administer the shock if you want the rescue to go smoothly. If you realize you’ll be working in a noisy area where you won’t be able to clearly hear audio prompts, an AED with visual prompts might be a safer choice to prevent any problems during the procedure. Similarly, if you work in an environment where audio reminders would be more helpful, you would prefer to take that path.

There are a number of excellent AEDs available. Regardless of which device or unit you select, whether the ZOLL AED Plus or another choice, would have its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the best options for you to think about:

• Philips HeartStart OnSite
• ZOLL AED Plus Fully Automatic
• HeartSine Samaritan 350P
• Cardiac Science G3 AED Fully Automatic
• Physio Control Lifepak CR2

The Bottom Line

When considering an AED cabinet, you should search around for the box with the best features for your requirements. When shopping, you can filter by the price in order to find a device within your price range. As a customer, you should make sure that the cabinets you are looking at provide good storage. A good defibrillator brand also generally offers free delivery with their product.