Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are available in various shapes, sizes, colours and prices. So, which one is best? It depends what is meant by ‘best’ – best price, best guarantee, best battery life, best pad life, etc.
In order to make a comparison, here are a few factors to consider:
- Price of the AED
- Battery life
- Cost of replacement battery
- Life of the pads
- Cost of replacement pads
- Length of guarantee
Other considerations:
Semi-automatic or fully-automatic
A semi-automatic AED requires the user to push a button to deliver the shock, whereas a fully-automatic AED delivers the shock without user intervention.
Visual and/or voice prompts
All AEDs have voice prompts and some have the addition of visual prompts.
How many sets of pads?
All AEDs are supplied with either one set, or two sets, of adult pads. If only one set is supplied, it is a good idea to buy a second set.
Paediatric pads are available for use on a child between the ages of 1 and 8. If no paediatric pads are available, then use adult pads. The suggested configuration of the pads on a child is front and back.
Some other features that vary between the different AEDs are:
- The energy level/s of the shock
- Built-in metronome with or without voice prompts for the two rescue breaths
- The provision, or not, of CPR feedback
Author Jon Andersen
Posted by Gemma
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