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Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator

According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is one of the leading causes of death in the US, claiming more than 340,000 people each year. Surviving SCA is largely dependent on how quickly a victim is defibrillated. For each minute that defibrillation is delayed, the victim's chance of survival decreases by seven to ten percent. The victim suffers irreversible brain damage within four to six minutes after cardiac arrest. After ten minutes, few victims of sudden cardiac arrest survive.

Company:

Philips Electronics , www.usa.philips.com

Price:

Starting at about $1400 US.

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Getting Started

Got your attention? Occasionally we take a closer look at products that will benefit you. Reading this article may help you to save someone else's life.

In early summer I took a group of scouts to a local fire station for some first aid refreshing in preparation for a week long camping trip in a nearby wilderness area. Here we were shown a portable automated external defibrillator (AED). I was amazed at how simple and small yet powerful this tool has become. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to take a Red Cross CPR recertification course. It had been 10 years or so since I had training, so I took the course. I was amazed at how different CPR is today. If you are curious about learning more or updating your CPR training, visit www.redcross.org.

As part of the current training, AEDs are discussed and demonstrated. The training made me curious so I did some more research on AEDs. I was amazed at how affordable a home defibrillator can be. For some of us it is less than we would spend on a computer. Having the ability to save a life at such a low cost makes me almost feel guilty for not having one of these portable tools in my car so that I have one with me if I ever need one.

As it turns out, many public places such as malls, movie theaters, and even commercial airlines have AEDs available and have trained employees how to use them. Local fire and police carry these as well. So unless you have been in a situation or observed a situation where one was used, you probably don't know much about them. Next time you are in a mall, look around for sings telling you where an AED or portable defibrillator is located. Just think how someone's odds of survival are if more than a few people are CPR certified and have some basic training on how to use a portable defibrillator!

The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that early defibrillation - delivering an electrical current to the heart within minutes after sudden cardiac arrest - could raise survival rates to 30 percent or higher. If defibrillation is administered promptly there is a chance that a regular rhythm can be restored and a life saved.

The Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator was designed with safety in mind--safety of the victim, the user and those living in the household, including children and others who might be curious about the device. HeartStart is designed to only deliver a shock if it determines one is needed. It will not deliver a shock to a person who doesn't need it. For the safety of the responder, it is important to follow the voice instructions and to make sure that no one touches the patient when a shock is delivered.

HeartStart is designed for use with children or adults. It actually senses when the Infant/Child pads cartridge is installed. It automatically adjusts to deliver a lower energy level most appropriate for infants and children, and also provides coaching for performing CPR on a child.

How to use the Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator?

HeartStart is specifically designed for use by virtually anyone to help save a life. If you suspect that someone is in sudden cardiac arrest--they are not breathing normally and you can't wake the person--call 911 first. Then follow this three-step process: Pull, Place & Press.

Step 1--Pull the cartridge handle--it's marked "PULL" in large letters. This initiates the clear calm voice that will guide you through the process.

Step 2--Place the pads on the patient's bare chest. The voice instructions tell you exactly what to do. HeartStart can even sense and adapt to your actions. If you are moving quickly, the voice prompts stay with you. If you are taking more time, HeartStart provides increasingly detailed instructions to help you place the pads. Once HeartStart senses that the pads have been applied to the skin, it automatically begins analyzing the patient's heart rhythm. HeartStart decides whether a shock is needed--you don't have to.

Step 3-- Press the shock button. If HeartStart decides a shock is needed, it will instruct you to press the flashing orange button HeartStart is designed to only let you deliver a shock if it determines one is needed. HeartStart even provides CPR coaching.

Essentially, that's how it works. You can feel confident that the defibrillator is providing easy-to-follow, straightforward direction and coaching. All you need is the desire to save a life. Check out the animated demo of the HeartStart Home Defibrillator in action.

Click on picture to enlarge image

The long-life lithium battery that comes with the Philips HeartStart does not need recharging. It contains power cells of the same kind safely used in many other consumer products, such as cameras. The battery typically lasts approximately four years in "standby mode." "Standby mode" means HeartStart is standing at the ready to help save a life if needed. Every day, HeartStart runs self-tests to check its battery, pads freshness and internal circuitry. If it ever detects a problem, such as a low battery, it chirps like your smoke alarm to alert you. A replacement battery is going to run around $125 US.

In the fall of 2002, the FDA cleared the first new-generation defibrillator designed specifically for the home. In early 2004, the American Heart Association supported removal of the prescription requirement for defibrillators. In a landmark decision, the FDA cleared the Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator as the first and only defibrillator available without a prescription in September 2004. States might have different requirements on owning a home defibrillator, so make sure you check your local and state requirements about owning and using a defibrillator.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Durable
• Long-life battery

Cons:

• Price...but when you consider that for what you would pay for a personal computer you could have the ability to save someone's life...price shouldn't matter

Adding It All Up

The American Heart Association estimates 40,000 more lives could be saved annually in the U.S. alone if automated external defibrillators were more widely available and could reach victims more quickly. The Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator is so simple to use. The onboard computer will guide even a child how to use it and will remind you how and when to perform CPR. Why not have one handy? Put it in your car and forget about it. Then if by chance you need one at the grocery store, at work, at the soccer field, at home, or where ever you are, you can grab it out of your car and save someone's life.

Even if you can not afford a defibrillator, get CPR certified. Please contact your local Red Cross chapter to learn more how you can get the training needed to help save someone's life.

If you are interested in purchasing a Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator, you can purchase directly from Philips here.

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