10 tips When Buying an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

A heart attack can affect anyone at any time and when it strikes, seconds really count. So, having the equipment close by in the workplace is very important. One such piece of equipment is the Automated External Defibrillator  or AED for short, and it’s vital hardware that can literally mean the difference between life and death.

When you are planning to buy AED  equipment for your workplace or public area, you need to know what to look for, so that’s what we examine now. By reading to the end, you’ll get 10 handy tips to help you get the right equipment for your needs.

Before we do that, here’s a quick explanation of AEDs.

So, What Exactly Is an Automated External Defibrillator?

An AED works by helping the heart return back to its natural rhythm in the event that someone suffers from a sudden cardiac arrest – also known by the abbreviation SCA. This clever hardware is able to scan the patient’s heart rhythm and administer an electrical shock if required. You’ll find AEDs located in shops, offices and public areas across the country.

AEDs are specifically designed to be easy to use, so that anyone without any medical training can save someone’s life. Typically lightweight and easy to move, they’re hugely useful, but it’s important that you get the right one for your needs. The range choice can be quite mesmerising, so we now look at 10 tips to help you decide.

Tip #1 – Make Sure It Offers Clear Instructions

When you buy AED  equipment, you need to ensure that it’s easy to use, as more than likely it will be layperson who need to use one at a moment’s notice, and medical emergencies like these can be very chaotic and stressful. We’d recommend going for a device that offers clear visual and vocal instructions on how to treat the affected person so that they help quickly and in the right way.

Tip #2 – Look for AEDs with Background Noise Adjustment

If the Automated External Defibrillator  you’re buying is to be used in a noisy environment like a factory or in an area with lots of people, having an AED with background noise adjustment is a must. You don’t want the treatment that AED provides to be held up because you can’t hear the instructions being given.

Tip #3 – Portability & Ease of Use

Is it easy to understand even for a lay-man or first-aid responder? Does it provide confidence for the users in applying effective CPR and AED to the victim?

AEDs aren’t just for use by trained employees, so another important quality to look for when buying yours is how easy they are to use and whether they’re small and compact enough to be used quickly in an emergency. Seconds wasted moving the unit and trying to work out how to use it can really make a difference.

Tip #4 – Ensure the AED Is Child-Friendly

Another consideration when you buy AED  equipment is whether it can be used on both adults and children, as you never know who might need help – particularly when it’s installed in a school. Typically, you’ll find different child-friendly electrode pads and a different setting so that it can also help with paediatric cardiac arrests.

Tip #5 – Semi-auto or Automatic?

When searching for Automated External Defibrillator  devices, you’ll see some that are automatic and others that are semi-automatic. We’d recommend purchasing one that is automatic, as it will then only provide a shock when one is needed. The semi-automatic variety still works, but it’s more complicated and prone to user error.

Tip #6 – Durability / IP Rating

As AED is usually placed in publicly accessible areas, it will be susceptible to potential hazards. IP rating refers to protection against dust and water, the higher the rating, the more durable it will be to withstand potential hazards

Depending on where your AED is mounted, it may have to withstand wet weather and dusty conditions, so its’ important that it’s able to keep it out. Therefore, you need to look for AEDs that offer durability and a high IP rating so that nothing inside becomes damaged unnecessarily.

Tip #7 – Think About Lifetime Cost

Many buyers of AEDs think too much about the upfront cost of the unit. Different manufacturers offer different warranties for the devices with some lower-cost hardware needing to have the pads and the battery changed every couple of years, which is why it’s sometimes a false economy to go for the cheapest option.

Tip #8 – Look for Quality Compression Feedback

In a pressure situation, what you learn about CPR isn’t always going to come back to you quickly. That’s why you should look to buy AED  hardware that provides real-time feedback about the compression rates and depth of the CPR being provided. The information provided makes things less stressful and gives the patient a better chance of survival.

Tip #9 – Synchronize Your Expiration Dates

When buying your Automated External Defibrillator  you need to ensure that it’s one with expiration aligned dates for the batteries and the pads. Look for one with synchronized lifetimes for both pads and batteries and it will be easier to ensure that everything within your AED is up to date and ready to use.

Tip #10 – Strong Local Support & Response

The final item on our list relates to how good the support of the AED supplier in question is for their devices and how fast they respond when an emergency occurs. A good way to find this info is to look at customer reviews, so that you can determine how credible and trusted they are in the local market.

The Biggest Supplier of AED Singapore Has to Offer

As you can see there’s much more to buying an AED than simply finding one online and making a purchase. Choose the wrong option and you could find that your investment counts for nothing as it’s either not working or inappropriate for the purpose it was intended.

At HTM Medico, we are the largest supplier of Automated External Defibrillator  equipment in Singapore and we have products to suit every need. You can find out more by visiting us online at www.htmmedico.com.sg and taking a look around.

Alternatively, if you would like to talk to us directly about your AED needs, you can talk to our friendly team by calling us today on (65) 6744-5911. Our advisors are dedicated to finding the best products for our clients, so you’re in very good hands.

Thanks for reading our blog to the end. We hope that it helps you get the best possible AED solution to help you protect lives in your workplace or public space.