AED Brands Blog

What is the difference between adult and pediatric pads?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pads, otherwise known as electrodes, are extremely crucial when it comes to a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) save. Once the pads are properly placed on the patient, a lifesaving shock therapy is delivered. In order for a shock to be delivered the pads must make proper contact with the patient’s skin. When the pads have good contact, the AED is able to correctly analyze the patient’s heart rhythm. But what makes adult pads so different from pediatric pads?

 

Just like there is a difference between the CPR you give an adult vs a child, there is also a difference between the shock that is delivered to an adult vs. a child. Child pads are designed to administer a smaller dose of therapy than adult pads. For children 55 lbs. or less, (typically 8 years and under), you want to be sure to use pediatric pads (or a pediatric key). For children greater than 55 lbs. or 8 years older, you want to use adult pads, as the reduced shock will likely not suffice.

 

The American Heart Association (AHA) states that in the event of an emergency, if there are no pediatric pads available you should place one adult pad on the front of the child and the other adult pad on the back of the child. You also want to be sure that you are keeping your pads up-to-date, because they do expire. Over time, the adhesive gel that acts as a bonding agent for a shock to be delivered begins to dry out and will no longer provide effective analysis and therapy.

 

If you still have questions about your AED pads, you can always leave us a comment, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com

What questions should you ask before purchasing an AED for your workplace?

 

Having an AED program implemented in your work place could save lives. In fact, about 10,000 of the 350,000 of sudden cardiac arrest events occur at work. The questions you need to be asking in order to keep your facility rescue ready are:

 

1. How many AEDs should we have for our locations?

 You can determine how many AEDs your facility needs by getting a site assessment.

 

2. Where should AEDs be placed in our buildings?

Getting a site assessment will also determine where the AEDs need to be placed.

 

3. How will people quickly find an AED during a medical emergency?

By purchasing the proper signage with your AEDs, any responder will be able to clearly see where the facilities AEDs are located.

 

4. Who on our staff needs to be trained and who will manage our AEDs?

You can appoint those individuals that need to be trained to operate/manage the AEDs within your facility depending on your current state laws.

 

5. Are we properly inspecting and maintaining our AEDs?

If you would rather manually keep record of your monthly AED inspections, we offer inspection tags. If you would rather have a program that assists you with the record keeping of your AED, we offer a program called Accutrack.

 

 

If you still have questions about AEDs in the workplace, you can always leave us a comment, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com

What if I forget the steps for using an AED?

The thought of using an AED can be a bit daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you have years of experience or none at all, everyone can use an AED!  AED’s are designed to be used by anyone who is faced with saving someone from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Most AEDs have voice prompts that will coach you through an entire SCA event. Some new AEDs are even equipped with technology that allows a lay responders to be coached through CPR. This coaching mechanism is called CPR feedback.  It allows the rescuer, who may never have taken a CPR course, to give proper and effective CPR. AEDs that provide CPR feedback are:

1. ZOLL Plus
2. Cardiac Science G5
3. HeartSine Samaritan PAD 450P

If you are ever faced with an emergency and forget the steps to using an AED, all you need to do is turn on the AED and let it talk you through the rest! The most crucial part of saving a SCA victim, is recognizing the need for defibrillation. These steps are very simple yet critical to knowing when to grab an AED and call 911.  Three steps to knowing if someone is in need of defibrillation is:

1. If they are unconscious
2. If they are unresponsive
3. If there is no sign of circulation

If you still have questions about using an AED, you can always leave us a comment, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com

The 7 things you need to know about AED Maintenance

When you become the proud owner of an AED there are steps you must follow in order to maintain a compliant device. While the maintenance required is minimal for an AED, you need to check the device on a monthly basis to make sure it is rescue ready. Inspection tags can assist with maintenance checks, and make them much simpler to perform every month. There are specific things that you want to be doing to maintain your AED according to the manufactures guidelines.

 

1. Educate yourself on the laws specific to your state and facility.

 

2. Appoint a person to inspect the AED on a regular basis for readiness.

 

3. Store spare accessories with the defibrillator in case of an emergency. Be sure to inspect them on a regular basis.

 

4. Report any issues you may have with the AED to the company you purchased your AED from. These issues can include: device defects, recalls, and expired or damaged accessories.

 

5. When you inspect the device you will need to check the…
   1. Battery
   2. Pads
   3. Additional Accessories
   4. Self-Test Check (green light or check mark)

 

6. Keep a record of your AED equipment as well as the installation dates, expiration dates, and inspection dates. This can be easily managed by the help of a program we offer, called Accutrack.

 

7. Make sure your AED is up to date on the latest program. Call the manufacturer in order to find out the latest program update. They can also guide you through the process of updating your device, if need be.

 

If you still have questions about your AED maintenance, you can always leave us a comment, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com

5 healthy ways to cope with depression

Depression is a mental illness that affects almost 6.7% of the adult population. It causes emotions such as loss of interest, hopelessness, frustration, irritability, sadness, and even anger. While we all experience these feelings from time to time, a person who has depression experiences these feelings for weeks, months, and even years. There are numerous factors that can cause depression, many that cannot be controlled. These factors include: genetics, brain structure, trauma or abuse at an early age, substance abuse, and medical conditions (cancer, ADHD, chronic pain, etc). Even those who have depression might be struggling with different forms of this mental illness, such as: Postpartum Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and many other types. Even though you may not have the ability to make depression completely disappear from your life, there are ways in order to mitigate the symptoms of depression.

 

 

Five healthy things you can do to cope with depression:

 

1. Stay connected to those you care about – spending time with others with others not only helps you combat the feeling of loneliness, but others can help encourage you to keep doing the things you love to do and help prevent feelings of loneliness.

 

2. Be active – Physical activity is a huge stress reliever. When you get regular exercise everyday it can help you feel better physically and emotionally.

 

3. Get your rest – Depression usually brings sleep disturbances. Stick to a schedule by setting an alarm and go to bed at the same time every night.  Also, set an alarm to wake up at the same time every morning.

 

4. Clean up your diet – When you put good food into your body you will begin to see the benefits. A higher daily intake of Omega-3’s (which you can find in fish or fish oil supplements) can improve your mood drastically.

 

5. Put down the bottle – Alcohol can be a fleeting aid to escape depression. However, since it is a depressant, alcohol can actually worsen symptoms of depression. It may also be having a negative reaction with depression medicine you may be taking.

 

 

 

Most forms of depression will need to be talked about with a therapist or doctor. However, when you make these lifestyle changes you can begin finding happiness in your daily life. If you still have questions, you can always leave us a comment or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com

Can I accidentally shock someone, other than a SCA victim, with an AED?

 

As one of the most frequently asked questions of lay responders, it’s important to know the answer. Any lay responder should feel comfortable using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to save a victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). An electric shock is intended to be delivered to restart the heart by sending the therapy from one electrode pad to another.  A defibrillation shock can be very dangerous if delivered to a person who does not need the treatment.  However, AEDs are extremely safe and have built in features that prevent a shock when it is not needed.

 

To keep bystanders and responders safe during an SCA rescue, the responders should follow the Chain of Survival in addition to the basic procedures given by the AED. This includes listening to voice prompts that remind bystanders to “Stay Clear” of the victim.  The AED will give the responders step-by-step instructions. The only way a defibrillator can shock someone other than the victim, is if bystanders do not stand clear of the person being shocked.

 

By follow these steps, given by the American Red Cross, you can confidently perform a successful save:

1. Turn on the AED and follow the visual and/or audio prompts.
2. Open the person’s shirt and wipe his or her bare chest dry before attaching pads/electrodes.
3. Attach the AED pads/electrodes and make sure that the connector is plugged in.
4. Make sure no one is, including you, is touching the person. The device will prompt everyone to “stand clear.”
5. Allow the AED to analyze the person’s heart rhythm.
6. If the AED recommends a shock to the person, make sure that no one, including you, is touching the person.
7. After the shock is delivered, the AED will tell you to begin CPR. Begin CPR after delivering the shock. If no shock is advised, begin CPR. If you notice obvious signs of life, discontinue CPR and monitor breathing for any changes in condition.

 

If you still have questions about Sudden Cardiac Arrest, you can always leave us a comment, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com

“Can You Die of a Broken Heart?”

 

When we think of dying of a broken heart, a dramatic romance may come to mind.  But, a real-life broken heart can actually lead to cardiac consequences. These serious conditions have been named broken heart syndrome, also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

 

Women are 90% more likely than men to experience this unfortunate syndrome, this may have to do with changes that occur post-menopause. The syndrome can be caused by an emotionally stressful event, such as losing a loved one. The death of Debbie Reynolds just one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher passed away is a reminder of the crushing effect grief can have on the body.

 

Broken heart syndrome also took the life of the Knapkes and the Browns. Harold and Ruth Knapke died 11 hours apart on the same day after 65 years of marriage. Les and Helen Brown died 24 hours apart after 75 years of marriage. In both situations each couple had been together for so long that they could not endure life without the other, a true testament to the devotion and loyalty they had in their marriage. Broken heart syndrome can also impact those going through a divorce, breakup, or even physical separation.

 

In broken heart syndrome, a part of your heart is enlarged temporarily and doesn’t pump effectively, while the remaining part of your heart functions normally or with overcompensating contractions. The most common signs and symptoms of broken heart syndrome are angina (chest pain) and shortness of breath, just like a heart attack, which is why it can be misdiagnosed as a heart attack. In fact, tests show dramatic changes in rhythm and blood substances that are typical of a heart attack. But unlike a heart attack, there’s no evidence of blocked heart arteries in broken heart syndrome. You can even experience these things even if you have no history of heart disease.

 

If you still have questions about Sudden Cardiac Arrest, you can always leave us a comment, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com

 

 

Can you truly save yourself from a heart attack or delay cardiac arrest?

For nearly 20 years, this “advice” has been circulating the internet as an emergency technique in the event of a heart attack.  But is it as dependable as it has been made out to be?

 

Although “cough CPR” may be helpful in settings such as the cardiac catheterization laboratory (where all patients are constantly monitored) it should not be taught in lay-rescuer CPR courses. “Cough CPR” should only be performed with the help of a nurse or physician who can coach the patients to cough forcefully every one to three seconds during the initial seconds of a sudden arrhythmia. However, as this is not effective in all patients, it should not delay treatment.

 

Additionally, “cough CPR” is not promoted by the American Heart Association. In 2010 coughing forcefully and repetitively to maintain enough blood flow to the brain was noted as useless for unresponsive victims and should not be taught to lay rescuers. This is because it is generally not useful in the prehospital setting, as in most cases the victim will be unresponsive.

 

If you still have questions about Sudden Cardiac Arrest, you can always leave us a comment, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com

All hearts are NOT the same

We are taught that the heart is just another muscle, but in reality the heart is a hormonal sensitive muscle. As a result, a person’s heart will be different depending on if they’re male or female. But what truly makes a man’s heart different than a woman’s?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Females:

Hearts beat faster – The daily average heart rate for women is 78-82

Hearts are smaller – The average weight of a woman’s heart is 118 grams

Artery openings are smaller – The average artery opening in women is 1.5mm

Women have a higher chance of diastolic dysfunction, which means their hearts become stiff and aren’t able to relax between beats.

Likelihood of heart attack – On average, a female’s first heart attack happens at the age of 72.

 

Males:

Hearts beat slower – The daily average heart rate for men is 70-72

Hearts are bigger – The average weight of a man’s heart is 178 grams

Artery openings are larger – The average artery opening in men is 2.5mm

Men are more likely to suffer systolic dysfunction, which means their hearts become weak and floppy and have trouble pumping blood.

Likelihood of heart attack – On average, a male’s first heart attack happens at the age of 65.

 

Even though the hearts of men and women are different, cardiovascular disease causes every 1 in 3 deaths. Luckily, most of these deaths can be easily preventable through maintaining a healthy weight and life style, kicking the bad habit of smoking, managing blood pressure and diabetes, and exercising a little every day.

Do you know of any other differences between a man and woman’s heart? Leave us a comment! If you still have questions, you can always leave us a comment or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com

 

4 tips on finding time to exercise

 

Did you know?

Exercise not only helps you lose weight, but it lowers your risk for some types of cancer, reduces risk of osteoporosis, helps your heart get better at pumping blood, keeps your arteries from being clogged, and lowers your risks for heart disease.

1. Make it a priority

When you put something at the top of your to-do list every single day you are more likely to get it done. Am I right? The kids have to be taken to school, the laundry has to be done, and you HAVE to exercise. Making it a priority will make working out a habit and soon it will become a part of your daily routine.

 

2. Find your best time

If you’re like most people, you live a hectic life.  You may think you have no spare time to exercise, but you do! It goes hand-in-hand with making it a priority. If exercising is important to you- you will make it happen. If you are a morning person, work out in the morning. If you are a night owl, work out before bed. You can even find time throughout the day to take a few laps around the office, take the stairs, or use your lunch break to talk a walk. Finding a time that works for you will help you create a schedule and stick to it!

 

3. Make it fun

Everyone dreads tasks you have to complete, and a workout is definitely one of them. Even Mary Poppins taught us that “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”. You have to make your daily activities fun! That could mean putting an awesome playlist together for your visit to the gym, walking with a friend after work.  You can even come up with a list of frequent things that happen at your job and create certain movements you have to do when they happen.

 

4. Set goals

There is a competitive side to all of us. When we set goals for ourselves, using that competitiveness can come in handy with motivation to exercise each day! For instance, you might run a 13 minute mile now but challenge yourself to run a 10 minute mile. You can also try to walk as long as you can. Maybe that’s 30 minutes now but challenge yourself to walk for 50 minutes. Without challenge we will never change – that goes for all aspects of life. In order to find the time to exercise you need to challenge yourself to get better, do better, and be better.

 

 

Have any other tips? Leave us a comment! If you still have questions, you can always leave us a comment or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com

 

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