Welch Allyn is a privately-held, American family-owned, medical device manufacturing company. They have been providing the medical community with medical products and solutions for over 100 years. Welch Allyn offers products ranging from stethoscopes to lighting, and they’re known worldwide for their commitment to quality.

This dedication to quality can easily be seen in Welch Allyn’s AED 10 (automated external defibrillator). Designed for the infrequent user, the AED 10 Defibrillator features easy-to-follow voice commands that calmly guide the user through the resuscitation process. The AED 10 was designed with the non-medical, minimally trained, first responder in mind.

It is estimated in one study that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) happens to over 260,000 Americans every year; another study estimates that 350,000 Americans will suffer an SCA each year. That means that 700 - 1000 people each day may require the use of an automated external defibrillator. Health clubs, gyms, fitness centers, office buildings, schools, airports, all public gathering places, should have AEDs available to treat victims of SCA.

A sudden cardiac arrest is different than a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms can include chest, arm, upper abdomen, or jaw pain, and may be accompanied by nausea and sweating and are caused by a blocked artery or arteries in the heart. SCAs generally have no warning and can happen at any time to anyone, healthy children and young and old adults alike. In fact, sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death of American adults.

Sudden cardiac arrest happens when the electrical activity of the heart is interrupted and becomes erratic. If this continues, eventually the heart will cease to beat. The victim will then lose consciousness. If this happens, the ventricular fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm) must be stopped or the heart must be restarted. This is achieved by delivering an electric shock to the heart by using a defibrillator. Since most SCAs occur outside of the hospital, having an automated external defibrillator, like the Welch Allyn AED 10, available is paramount to saving the victim’s life. Every minute counts in an SCA. Victims not treated within five minutes can suffer irreversible brain damage or be left comatose; those left untreated longer than seven minutes will almost always die. Some studies estimate that 95 percent of cardiac arrest victims die because they don’t receive the necessary emergency medical services and basic life support provided by a defibrillator within that ten minute window.

The Welch Allyn AED 10 features color-coded pads and illustrations to assist in proper placement of the unit and its usage. It includes prompts that help the first responder give quick assistance to the victim by using an “intuitive 1-2-3 rescue approach…” Besides being one of the smallest and lightest AEDs available today, the AED 10 also features:

• Easy to follow voice prompts
• Text prompts on an easy to read display, in case of low or bright lights or noisy environments
• Delivery of the first shock within 4 seconds of the “shock advised” prompt
• The ability to store multiple patient records (ECG waveforms, date/time stamps, shocks delivered, and system actions)

Ensuring the safety of those around you in your school, health club, office building, whether they are students, visitors or employees should be as important as providing fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Heart problems can strike without warning; be proactive and make sure you’re ready if and when someone you know or don’t know suffers a sudden cardiac arrest. You’ll be glad you were prepared!

Right now, AED brands is offering a special with the purchase of a Welch Allyn AED 10. When you order, you’ll receive a number of accessories, including a carrying case, batteries, and two Adult pads, as well as FREE FedEx shipping!

In addition to the active AED 10 cardiac defibrillator, AED brands is proud to offer our customers the chance to buy accessories for Welch Allyn’s discontinued AED 20 model.

For more information on any these products, call or e-mail AED brands today.