Who are the Top AED Manufacturers
If you are reading this article, then it is likely that you are looking to equip your home, workspace, or community with a defibrillator. A modern AED is a small, user-friendly, and portable device that is able to automatically diagnose and treat a life-threatening heart rhythm. However, there are a number of devices available, and finding the one that works best for you or your organization is extremely important to ensure that everyone remains healthy.
Having an AED on-site is a great way to improve the survival odds of an individual who experiences sudden cardiac arrest, by drastically reducing the period that occurs between cardiac arrest and treatment. AEDs are powered by batteries and are generally portable, light, and compact. This makes them extremely easy to store and use when they are needed. Due to safeguards being programmed into each device, regardless of who they are manufactured by, users are never at risk of being shocked should they have a heartbeat.
An automated external defibrillator can be operated by anyone. This is due to the fact that they are generally straightforward. They typically provide users with easy visual and audio instructions that allow even an untrained individual to quickly comprehend and apply them. Some automated external defibrillators provide the user with advice on when to administer the shock to the patient, whereas others are able to automatically apply a shock should they detect that the heart is arrhythmic.
While you consider all the options that are available to you in terms of the best AED for your needs and priorities, we encourage you to continue reading this article so that you can make a more well-informed decision. You can then consider which manufacturer produces the best AED for the specific needs that you have. Listed below are some of the best manufacturers that you can choose your device from, as well as their strong and weak points.
Some of the top AED manufacturers that are discussed in this article are:
What is an Automated External Defibrillator?
According to the “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2018 Update: A Report from the American Heart Association” published in AHA Journals, one out of every 7.4 people in the United States may die from sudden cardiac arrest. According to the National Safety Council, research indicates that improved access to automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) could save as many as 40,000 lives per year.
Many states and the federal government have made AEDs mandatory in public buildings, but private businesses have been slower to adjust. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, sudden cardiac arrest may be caused by a heart attack, electrocution, or asphyxiation (OSHA). OSHA urges employers to have AEDs in the workplace because sudden cardiac arrest can happen at any time.
An AED is a portable lifesaving device that can assist anyone who has suffered a cardiac arrest. According to the American Heart Association, if a person’s heart stops beating suddenly, rescuers may use an AED to administer an electric shock to the heart and restart it (AMA).
According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, sudden cardiac arrest is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and it can kill you in minutes. AEDs can save lives if they are available quickly.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, any member of the public is able to access a defibrillator in a public place such as a:
- Community center
- School
- Airport
- Government building
- Hospital
It is recommended that lightweight AEDs are kept in public places where large amounts of people gather due to the fact that they are easy to mobilize and deploy in light of an emergency. Due to them being extremely simple to use, and the fact that you can do no harm when using one makes the extremely useful for treating any individual who may be suffering from sudden cardiac arrest or any other ailment that may affect their heart.
How You Can Integrate AEDs Into Your Workplace
While defibrillators are not nationally mandated in workplaces, some individual states do mandate the placement of AED’s in certain industries. OSHA recommends that they be readily available on construction sites. According to OSHA, approximately 400 employees die on the job due to cardiac arrest each year, but defibrillators in the workplace could save 160 lives each year.
At AEDUSA we believe that Safety managers should consider it an anticipated standard of care within every public domain and workplace. Preparing for an emergency is much better than trying to justify why you did not.
Following these OSHA-approved measures, health safety and security professionals can install defibrillators in private offices and outline standards like the following:
- Determine which workers should use AEDs in an emergency.
- Train certain workers on how to use an AED properly, including following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Place AEDs in areas of the workplace where they can be quickly reached in the event of a cardiac arrest.
- Make sure that AEDs in the office are inspected, checked, and maintained according to the manufacturers’ guidelines.
According to EHS Today, a magazine for safety professionals, the first step office safety professionals should take before introducing a defibrillator to the workplace is to ensure compliance with local, state, and industry regulations. According to OSHA, proper positioning of AEDs in the workplace is important for saving lives.
Many AEDs are structured so that anybody can use them without any prior experience. OSHA, on the other hand, suggests that staff be educated on AEDs in order to reinforce proper use and the device’s overall usefulness.
Without the use of an AED or the administering of CPR, the chances of survival from sudden cardiac arrest drop by seven to 10% for every minute that passes, according to OSHA. This is why it is essential that any individual who suffers from a heart rhythm problem is able to get treatment from an AED as soon as possible after experiencing the life-threatening event. Failure to get the patient treated as quickly as possible could result in a fatality. For this reason, it is important that there are enough AEDs placed all around the premises so that no matter where an emergency arises, there is an accessible defibrillator nearby at all times. Making sure that this is the case can make life-saving much easier.
Physio-Control AED
Physio-Control was founded in 1955 by DR. Karl William Edmark. They design and manufacture emergency response tools to assist physicians, emergency responders, and organizations all over the world.
The Lifepak 1000 is a rugged and durable device that was designed for heavy use. The device manufactured by Physio-Control features built-in flexibility that allows the individual using the device to change the protocols based on the standards of care that are required by a specific situation. This makes the Lifepak 1000 a great option for EMS professionals who require an advanced, durable, and rugged device.
The Lifepak CR Plus is an easy-to-use AED that is used by a variety of medical professionals and organizations all over the globe. The Lifepak CR Plus is also a fully automatic device that offers users a very simple two-step operation. It is also water-resistant and lightweight, making it a perfect device for anyone who needs to operate it efficiently. The Lifepak CR Plus is also able to automatically adjust its voltage based on the needs of the patient. This feature makes it a popular choice for public areas that tend to have high traffic rates as it can be used to treat a variety of individuals without the need to manually adjust the voltage based on their needs.
Should you be on a budget, Physio-Control also offers the Lifepak Express. The device manufactured by Physio-Control is able to deliver up to 360 joules of defibrillation and comes with an instruction card so that anyone can learn how to efficiently deliver treatment to any individual in need of it. Regardless of your needs, Physio-Control makes a device that is suited to your needs. All their products are of the highest quality and manage to efficiently deliver the service that they promise. Devices made by this manufacturer are definitely devices that you should consider should you be in the market for automated external defibrillators.
HeartSine AED
HeartSine is a medical manufacturing company that was founded in 1997 and is based in Newtown, Pennsylvania in the United States of America. The Samaritan line of HeartSine AEDs is designed for use in busy public areas. Compared to other AEDs, it offers the highest level of both dust and water protection. This makes it extremely hardy and durable, which is a pretty handy trait given its purpose. In being so durable, it is a great option for anyone who works in situations where the device may not function properly without these features. HeartSine’s device is also one of the lightest in the market, making it extremely easy to carry around and get it to where you need it quickly.
For the purposes of maintenance, the device incorporates the innovative Pad Pak which is able to house both the battery and electrodes. The Pad Pak also has an expiration date that lets you know when you need to replace both the battery and electrodes. This makes it much easier to know when it may be time to visit a doctor to get the components replaced. The HeartSine 450 is also one of the only AEDs that offer live feedback during CPR. This is a rather handy feature that makes the process of administering CPR a lot easier than if you did not have it.
Cardiac Science AED
Cardiac Science is a company that has its headquarters in Wisconsin. The company is full of designers and manufacturers of the Powerheart AEDs. Should you choose to purchase the Powerheart G3, you could be happy to know that it comes with an impressive seven-year warranty. On the other hand, the Powerheart G5 is the first AED to be FDA approved that includes an entirely automatic shock delivery system, dual-language (English and Spanish) functionality, and also a number of escalating energy options.
The devices that Cardiac Science produce are also extremely straightforward to operate due to their intuitive operating system. This makes the use of any of the devices by a first-time responder a much less stressful task.
When an emergency arises and you have to use the device, all that you have to do is open it, and it activates. All devices have the Cardiac Science Rescue Coach that guides you through the entire rescue process. The device utilizes text prompts that are extremely easy to follow. This makes using the Powerheart in noisy environments much easier than it would be to make use of a device that offers audio prompts instead. The Cardiac Science Power Heart also meets all the military standards for shock and vibration testing. Due to this, you can safely assume that the device is pretty durable and that the shock it delivers is efficient at doing the job.
Devices all incorporate Rescue Ready technology. This technology checks the primary components of the device on a daily basis by itself. Doing so ensures that the device is always ready and fully operational for an emergency situation. The technology also lets you know when you need to have certain components changed. This makes the maintenance of the device extremely easy.
Defibtech AED
Defibtech was founded in 1999 by Dr. Glen W. Laub and Gintaras Vaisnys in Philadelphia. The vision of the company is to create the best AED possible by offering high levels of quality and reliability and at a very reasonable price. The AEDs that they produce are always of the highest possible quality making them a great choice for anyone who needs a durable product.
The Lifeline VIEW is an excellent option for any individual who does not have AED training or who struggles to hear due to the incorporation of a high-resolution, large, interactive screen display. Due to the excellent display, the device is easy to use for any individual who is deaf or in an environment where it may be difficult to hear any audio prompts. The device works really well in lighting situations, and can easily be adapted depending on whether a child or adult needs to be treated.
The Defibtech Lifeline is a fully automatic AED that is really easy to activate, and also features clear and loud voice prompts that make the rescue process much more straightforward. The device also features batteries that have a long lifespan, making it the perfect choice for any organization that requires a device with minimum maintenance requirements in order to keep it in proper working condition.
Philips AED
Philips is a company that is widely known for manufacturing a wide range of medical technologies as well as a variety of innovative healthcare solutions. Philips offers the HeartStart line of defibrillators. The Philips HeartStart FR3 AED is the lightest professional device that you can get. As previously mentioned, this makes it extremely easy to mobilize and get to the area where it is needed in next to no time.
The Philips HeartStart FRx AED is a great option for any type of outdoor venue. This is due to the device featuring extremely fast shocking times, coupled with the fact that it is both durable and waterproof. Due to this, one can use the HeartStart onsite whenever it is needed. When using the HeartStart onsite, you can utilize different settings based on the individual who requires treatment. It can easily be changed from an adult-only AED to a pediatric AED by simply inserting the child key. This lowers the voltage that it uses when in use, making it safe to use on a child who is in need of life-saving. It is important to note that you do not need to change the pads as one set of pads works for adults, children, and infants.
Philips’ HeartStart Onsite AED is an extremely economical and solid option for anyone who is at a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It is actually the only AED that you can purchase that is available for both personal and home use without the need for a prescription from a doctor. This makes it pretty easy to acquire should you be in need of one.
The Philips device weighs only 3.3 lbs. making it really easy to carry around in the heat of an emergency. When it comes to using the device, all that you need to do in order to activate the voice commands is open the device. Once the voice instructions are activated, the device provides step-by-step instructions in a clear and adaptable manner. This makes it extremely easy to use the Philips device, even if you are an untrained individual who happens to find themselves in an emergency situation where you are required to be the lifesaver.
ZOLL AED
ZOLL is a company that was founded in 1980 by one of the earliest pioneers of external cardiac stimulation, Dr. Paul M. Zoll. ZOLL Medical Corporation develops a wide variety of medical devices and software solutions that are all used to assist in saving the lives of individuals who experience issues with their hearts.
Both the ZOLL AED Plus and ZOLL AED Pro that are produced by ZOLL are difficult to miss with their bright green cases. The AED Plus device that ZOLL Medical Corporation manufactures is the only AED device that has Real CPR Help, making it a highly sought-after device. This feature affords the user real-time CPR feedback that can assist anyone who is performing the treatment to deliver CPR of high quality and more effectively to save the life of a patient. It is interesting to note that while only half of the cardiac arrest patients require a defibrillator, all of them require CPR. The Real CPR feature guides any individual attempting to save a life through the CPR process, and even tells them to apply more pressure should there be a need for it.
The ZOLL AED Pro is designed with assisting anyone performing a rescue in mind. It also supports both basic and advanced life support professionals, making it the perfect device to have around. The device also incorporates an LCD display into its design so that any responder is able to visualize the ECG of the patient while they administer CPR to them. Overall, the ZOLL Medical Corporation manufactures high-quality AED devices that can assist anyone, even an untrained individual, to utilize it efficiently. A ZOLL AED is never a bad choice.
Choosing the Best Defibrillator for Your Needs
As you can see, all of these defibrillator manufacturers make products of a high quality, meaning that you cannot go wrong by choosing any of them as the manufacturer of the AED that you want. The important part is choosing the manufacturer that makes the AED that best suits the needs of you or your organization. Ensuring that you choose the right defibrillator to deliver a shock is crucial to the success of the rescue procedure. If you know that you operate in a busy area where you may not be able to hear audio prompts properly should mean that you should consider getting an AED that provides visual prompts instead, in order to avoid any issues during the process.
The Bottom Line
After reading this article, you should have a better idea of how to save lives using an AED. With so many different AED manufacturers out there, it can be easy to be confused when deciding which AED to purchase; however, you should now know which of these is the best option for your business or private property. By analyzing the features that are incorporated into all the different devices you can now choose the best device for your needs, ensuring that you do not get caught off guard by using an AED that does not suit your specific requirements. So, choose the best automated external defibrillator for your organization today.
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