Twenty years ago, portable external defibrillators were found only in hospitals and a few emergency vehicles. They provided complex controls and options that allowed trained medical technicians in hospitals and ambulances to diagnose and treat a range of cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.
The first automated external defibrillators (AEDs) developed and tested in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, enabled non-medical rescuers to assist someone who had collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). While the AEDs’ capabilities were narrower than those of manual defibrillators, they would eventually make it possible to save thousands of SCA victims — many of whom had collapsed out of range of a hospital or emergency medical services — by giving them a life-saving shock in the critical first 10 minutes.
In the past decade, AEDs have become increasingly easy to use. Cardiac Science’s flagship AED, the Powerheart G3 Plus, is a prime example.
Once someone opens the AED, the machine’s RescueCoach technology begins a series of audio instructions. The rescuer follows the voice prompts to place two pads, connected to the defibrillator, on the victim’s chest. At that point, the AED itself analyzes data through the pads and determines if a shock is needed. If it is, the AED delivers the shock. When CPR is required, the AED activates a metronome for counting compressions.
Cardiac Science takes pride in being one of the leaders in developing and refining the modern, user-friendly AED. Cardiac Science developed the RHYTHMx rhythm-analysis software that was the foundation for the first fully automatic bedside defibrillator (Branded Powerheart, it treated life-threatening arrythmias without the need for human intervention).
In 2001, Cardiac Science acquired Survivalink and its STAR biphasic AED technology for use in the Powerheart product line; biphasic AEDs required less energy than their predecessors and they increased the first-shock success rate for AEDs.
In addition to making the popular Powerheart G3 Plus, Cardiac Science also makes the Powerheart G3 Semi-Automatic and the full-featured Powerheart G3 Pro (with manual override) for professional rescuers.
Easy-to-use AEDs have been the critical factor boosting the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest because it makes it possible to restart a cardiac arrest victim’s heart in the first few minutes after collapse — averting serious neurological damage or death.
According to the AHA, survival rates drop by an estimated 10 percent for every minute that goes by without defibrillation, meaning that by the time professional responders arrive, it may already be too late.
While AEDs like the Powerheart G3 Plus can be used successfully even by an untrained adult, training makes it possible to act even more quickly and efficiently when using an AED in an emergency situation in which every second counts.
For more information on AED training for yourself or your organization, visit the American Heart Association AED and CPR training page or the American Red Cross training page.
Monday’s post: AED Awareness Week, Exploring AEDs
Wednesday’s post: AED Awareness Week, AED legislation
Related Products
- Powerheart AED G3 Plus
- Powerheart AED G3 Fully Automatic and Semi-automatic
- Powerheart AED G3 Pro
- Powerheart AED G3 Trainer
- AED Program Management
Last 5 posts
- Cardiac Science AEDs in Spain [VIDEO] - April 4th, 2011
- Cardiac Science wins first major public access defibrillation program in Europe - March 30th, 2011
- Georgia Park saves 5 lives with AEDs - March 24th, 2011
- Sad stories, avoidable deaths? - March 23rd, 2011
- Texas school's AED saves 6-year-old's life - March 22nd, 2011
May 10th, 2013 at 7:07 am
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