How Important is an AED Machine for Home or Office?

356,000 people every year suffer a cardiac arrest in the United States, making it the leading cause of death. An automated external defibrillator (AED) machine is a medical device that delivers an electrical shock (known as defibrillation) to re-establish an effective heart rhythm. An AED machine is the most effective way to restore regular heart rhythm during a cardiac arrest.

Every second is crucial to saving a patient experiencing a heart attack. While your first instinct will be to call 911, using CPR and an AED machine can drastically improve the chance of survival. It takes between 8 to 12 minutes for emergency services to respond to 911 calls. Every minute defibrillation is delayed causes the person’s chances of survival to fall by 10%.  

Having an AED machine in your home or building can make a difference in saving someone’s life during a cardiac arrest. The Zoll AED+ machine is one of the highest-rated compact defibrillators, ideal for setting up in your home, office building, community facility, and school.

What is an AED Defibrillator?

An AED automated external defibrillator is a portable and lightweight device that delivers an electric shock to the heart when it detects an abnormal rhythm. It should be used when a person experiences a cardiac arrest to restore a regular rhythm to the heart. First responders carry defibrillator machines, but the sooner a patient receives CPR and defibrillation, the higher their odds of survival are.

Up to 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home. If you’re at a high risk of cardiac arrest, investing in an AED machine can give you valuable peace of mind if the worst happens. AED machines are designed for public use with voice prompts, lights, and text to instruct non-medical personnel on how to use them.

How Does a Defibrillator Work?

A defibrillator checks the heart rhythm once the defibrillator pads are attached to the chest. It sends an electric shock through the chest to the heart when it detects an abnormal rhythm. Bystanders should use CPR and a defibrillator on a patient until first responders arrive.

While you don’t need to be trained in a defibrillator to use one, having training can give you the confidence to act quickly in an emergency where every second counts. You can learn life-saving CPR and how to use an AED machine by booking a Reeves Training course in Pennsylvania or Georgia.

A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere. In 70% of cases, a bystander will attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, it’s only in 10% of cases that an AED machine is used. The best way to care for a patient while waiting on medical professionals is to use both CPR and an AED defibrillator. 

CPR keeps blood flowing to the heart and brain, but an AED machine restores the heart’s rhythm. Using CPR and an AED defibrillator can increase the chances of survival to 38%. 

Your AED Machine should be located somewhere highly visible and easy to reach. If you’re installing a defibrillator for community use, place it in an AED cabinet outside a building to facilitate 24/7 access.

Shop our range of AED machines and accessories, including AED signage and fast response kits, to be prepared in the event of a cardiac arrest