Different Types of AED: How to Choose the Best Defibrillator for Your Needs
If you’re looking to purchase an AED, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll explore the different defibrillator types there are to choose from, cover what considerations you should make when selecting the right AED for you, and take you through the key product features and benefits of the premium quality models we stock from some of the best defibrillator UK brands.
Defibrillators Save Lives
According to the British Heart Foundation, more than 30,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrests outside of hospital every year in the UK. Of these casualties, an average of just 10% survive cardiac arrest long enough to reach hospital without intervention using an AED.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a serious and time-critical medical condition that causes the victim’s heart rhythm to become irregular, meaning blood is not pumped around the body effectively. Without steady blood flow, the body’s vital organs can’t receive enough oxygen, and the risk of brain damage and death increases rapidly. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can greatly improve survival rates if they are easily available and accessible.
AED devices support a cardiac rescue by assessing the casualty’s heartbeat and administering an electric shock to the heart to restore its rhythm. Defibrillators come with defibrillator electrodes (two paddles with insulated handles) which are charged from a high-voltage power supply when connected to the device. When positioned correctly on the casualty, they administer a defibrillation shock. When used quickly and correctly in conjunction with CPR, this equipment has the potential to save lives and improve cardiac arrest survival rates.
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Defibrillator Online Guide
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Increasing the Amount of Publicly Accessible AED's is Critical
AEDs have the potential to save the lives of cardiac arrest victims while rescuers wait for an ambulance to arrive. If defibrillation begins within 3-5 minutes of collapse, survival rates stand at around 50-70%. However, with each minute of delay, the chances of survival decrease by 10%. For this reason, it’s essential that the number of defibrillator locations increases so that members of the public have quick, easy access to them across the country.
The British government recognises this, and the Department of Health and Social Care allocated £1 million in funding in December 2022 to install more public access AEDs in communities most in need. This initiative is expected to increase the number of defibrillators in the UK by 1,000 in areas where the current proximity to an AED is low.
With the increased government funding, awareness of the importance of AED access is growing. AEDs are now being installed in all state-funded schools and are already commonplace in healthcare clinics and hospitals. And more and more defibrillators are located in a range of public settings, including shopping centres, libraries and sports grounds. If you look in your local phone box, the chances are you’ll find an AED there too, as an initiative headed by BT and The Community Heartbeat Trust continues to install defibrillators in them.
Many more businesses, public facilities, and concerned individuals are looking to join the efforts. By investing in an AED for your workplace, community centre, or private home, defibrillator access will improve and ultimately save more lives.
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Understanding the Types of Defibrillator Devices and Their Uses
While Automated External Defibrillators are becoming increasingly prevalent for use in an emergency, it’s important to understand that the term ‘defibrillator’ refers to any medical device that is ‘used to control heart fibrillation by application of an electric current to the chest wall or heart.’ We’ll take you through the different types of defibrillator devices found in medical and emergency care.
Implantabe Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
ICDs are small, matchbox-sized devices implanted in a patient’s chest during surgery under anaesthetic. Once embedded, the device will continuously monitor for an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and if an irregular rhythm is detected, the device will automatically administer an electrical shock to restore a safe rhythm. A professional medical team may decide to insert an ICD into patients who have heart problems and are at risk of cardiac emergencies, such as people with genetic conditions, coronary artery disease, or a weak or abnormally large heart.
Manual Defibrillators
Manual defibrillators are designed to be used by highly-trained medical professionals. While they usually have the same style of electrodes as an automatic defibrillator, the manual function allows the user to decide the timing and strength of the electrical shocks that need to be administered. They should never be used by untrained responders. Manual defibrillators are often used to provide the second round of defibrillation treatment once the emergency services have arrived. They don’t have the same safeguards as an AED but are used by trained professionals in ambulances and hospitals to deliver highly customised cardiac defibrillation treatment.
Automated External Defibrillators (Semi-automatic and Fully automatic)
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are designed to be used by anyone, so they can be used by untrained responders if necessary. They provide instructions for the user throughout the rescue process, often with diagrams and spoken and written guidance. Once the AED electrodes are connected to the casualty’s chest, it can analyse the heart’s rhythm and determine the timing and strength of the required electrical shock.
AEDs will either be fully automatic or semi-automatic. The difference between the two is minimal. A semi-automatic model will analyse the cardiac rhythm and alert the user to deliver it by pressing a button. A fully automatic device will automatically deliver a shock when required, with no need for further intervention from the user.
AEDs are specially designed to make the rescue process as safe and easy as possible for the responder and the casualty, whether they’re trained or not. AED devices’ helpful safety features include:
- Step-by-step instructions
- Defibrillator pads are adhesive and easy to apply
- The AED will automatically detect whether the electrodes are correctly positioned and alert the user.
- The AED will analyse the heart rhythm and only deliver a shock when it is required.
Essential Considerations for Choosing the Best Defibrillator for Your Needs
Select a Trusted Defibrillator Supplier
Buying AEDs for your organisation or home could help to save lives. However, it’s important that you get the right model for your needs. First and foremost, make sure you select a trusted supplier that is capable of providing you with a top-quality product. Here at Steroplast, we supply a variety of defibrillators that meet the highest standards. We also provide accessories like defibrillator starter kits to support the rescuer, and alarmed cabinets, which means you can put your AED on display and ensure it can be easily accessed.
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Understand Your Needs
Because AEDs come with a range of different features and specifications, it’s important to determine your precise requirements before you start your search. Consider the requirements of your site and ask questions like:
- Will the devices be used in rugged terrain?
- Might they be used by individuals with limited training?
- Do they need to be suitable for treating children?
- Must they be set up for quick and easy transport?
A good AED supplier will be able to help you answer these queries and select the right device for your unique needs. Make sure to factor in your budget at this stage too.
Visit our
Defibrillator Online Guide
Find out about your legal responsibilities and browse our selection of AEDs and accessories.
Know your Responsibilities
Safe and practical installation, sufficient training and ongoing maintenance are vital obligations when it comes to having an AED. We discuss how to factor in these different responsibilities in our article: Workplace Defibrillators: Everything You Need To Know.
Choose Premium AEDs from Steroplast
Once you know what to look for, it’s time to peruse your options. Here’s a breakdown of the defibrillators we stock. We’ll take you through their different features and benefits to help you make an informed decision and choose the best defibrillator for you.
Schiller FRED Easyport AED
The Schiller FRED Easyport defibrillator is the smallest and lightest AED on the market, making it highly convenient and easy to store and transport around as needed. Due to its compact size, this AED can fit in your pocket, handbag, or car to ensure easy access wherever you’re located. Schiller’s FRED Easyport AED meets all the requirements of a standard AED and is small enough to store discretely on your bookshelf or in a drawer, making it the best defibrillator for home use.
If you or a family member is at risk of cardiac emergencies choosing a compact AED that’s portable and simple to use could help save a life. The Easyport AED is designed to be used by anyone, whether trained or untrained, and is a cost-effective option for domestic use or places with limited storage space.
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Schiller is a leading brand for AEDs, and we’re proud to stock their products. Check out our other Schiller products here:
iPad SP1 Fully Automatic or iPad SP1 Semi-Automatic AEDs
Representing the latest in public access AED technology, both the semi-automatic and fully automatic iPAD SP1 defibrillators are designed to be operated by individuals with minimal training.
Whether you’re looking for equipment for a hospital, workplace or retail centre, this may have the features you’re looking for. Small and lightweight, it’s easy to transport and it requires minimal preparation before it’s ready to operate.
It can also be quickly changed from adult treatment settings to child-friendly settings, and the device comes with smaller child pads as well as regular pads. The AED benefits from CPR detection too. If CPR is not being performed, voice prompts encourage the responder to start. If CPR is being carried out, the voice prompts encourage the responder to continue. The iPAD SP1 comes with a free carry case as well.
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Check out the rest of our iPAD defibrillator supplies and accessories:
Zoll AED Plus Lay Responder Defibrillator
Zoll is the British Heart Foundation’s nominated AED supplier and the Zoll Plus AED has been BHF’s 'Defibrillator of Choice' since 2010. This hard-wearing defibrillator is built for use in harsh environments and can withstand falls from 1.5 metres, extreme temperatures and altitudes, and is highly water and dust-resistant.
The Zoll Plus AED features a unique Real CPR Help system, which can monitor and assess the quality of CPR provision throughout the rescue, providing real-time feedback on compression rate and depth to ensure they are sufficient. Proper CPR is clinically proven to double the chance of survival in cardiac arrest patients when used in conjunction with a quality AED like the Zoll Plus.
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We stock Zoll Plus AED electrodes to meet your needs and a training unit to support AED training and ensure users are well-prepared for a cardiac emergency.
iPAD SPR Semi-Automatic Defibrillator
The iPAD SPR AED is equipped with advanced and smart technology, and it accurately analyses a patient's electrocardiogram. If it determines that a cardiac arrest has occurred, it delivers prompt, life-saving shocks when necessary.
With the highest IP66 rating, this AED is highly water resistant in rugged and water-hazardous environments. Its robust construction and durability ensure reliability in demanding environments, making it suitable for a wide range of settings, including hospitals, clinics and ambulances. The iPAD SPU Defibrillator prioritises safety with built-in safeguards, such as voice prompts and visual indicators, that guide users through each step of the defibrillation process.
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We stock iPAD SPR Dual Adult and Child Electrodes. The iPAD NFK200 Semi-Automatic Defibrillator with replacement electrodes is also available.
Ensure you have everything you need to support AED use
Now that you have a good idea of the features and benefits of the types of defibrillator models that we stock, make sure to consider additional products that will support AED installation, visibility and companion kits to keep users and victims safe during a rescue.
The Starter Kit for Defbrilltion from iPAD is an essential AED accessory that is well suited to all defibrillator types. Keeping this kit with your AED will ensure that rescuers have access to PPE, a resuscitation face shield to support CPR, and scissors and a razor to ensure safe, easy access to the victim’s torso when preparing for defibrillation shocks.
We also stock wall-mounted internal defibrillator cabinets and external locked cabinets to help you install your AED safely and visibly on your premises, or an alarmed AED cabinet with a strobe light to help alert bystanders of an emergency.
Register Your AED
St John Ambulance estimates that there are 100,000 defibrillators currently installed across the country, though thousands are unregistered and therefore unknown to the ambulance and emergency services. When you have selected and purchased your AED, make sure you register the device on The Circuit with the National Defibrillator Network.
Putting your defibrillator on the map will ensure more people know about your AED and location when they need it most. The National Defibrillator Network will also be able to analyse location data to identify where more AEDs are required across the country. Increasing AED proximity in all public areas in the UK can save more lives.
Find out more about AEDs on our blog.
AED guides:
- How to Use an AED
- When to Use a Defibrillator: A Guide
- Safety During Defibrillation with an AED
- Defibrillator Position and Placement: How to Get it Right
- Where is your nearest defibrillator? Find a defibrillator near you
Discussing defibrillators:
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Because a defibrillator serves such a vital purpose, there’s no room for error when you’re purchasing this equipment. So, if you’re not sure about the details of any of these devices or you want guidance to help you find which version meets all of your needs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team.
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