AED Brands Blog
How to stand up to seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Sydney Hildebrandt
When we think of the holiday season, we often think of family time, fun activities, and yummy food – shopping stress, financial burden, and simply being overwhelmed often come to mind too. The holiday season is a magical time for some, but for 10 million1 people in the United States, the holiday season is when the “Winter Blues” comes to town. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs during a specific time of year. SAD is thought to be caused by a few different things1:
1) Increased melatonin production due to shorter and darker winter days
2) Uncontrolled serotonin levels
3) Vitamin D insufficiency
People that suffer from SAD often feel hopeless, exhausted, lethargic, fatigued, irritable, unsociable, have an increased appetite, and in extreme cases, suicidal. A few ways to combat the symptoms of SAD are2:
- Time in the sun or light therapy
- Exercise regularly
- Limit alcohol
- Learn to say “no” if you’re not feeling up to something
- Get the right amount of sleep
- Spend time with ones you love or volunteer in your community
Though the holidays do present challenging demands, take time to think about all the blessings life is filled with! Find out more about SAD by doing your own research and checking your facts. If you believe that you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) please speak with your doctor. May your holidays be filled with good health and happiness.
Sources:
1 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder
2 https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/holiday-blues
October: Sudden Cardiac Awareness Month
Sydney Hildebrandt
October is popularly known as the month for spooky stories, lots of candy, dressing up, and other fun fall activities. However, October is also Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month. Sudden Cardiac Arrest, or SCA, is the unexpected loss of the heart function, resulting in the loss of effective blood flow. SCA is usually caused by an electrical disturbance in the heart. If left untreated by defibrillation, SCA results in death. We can participate in this month by doing one of the five following things:
- Learn what the Chain of Survival is
- You can learn of the Chain of Survival by visiting our Resource Center!
- Get CPR and AED certified
- We offer classes on our website! Schedule a class today!
- Ask your boss if your office has an AED, and if not why
- Learn how to perform a site assessment by visiting our Resource Center!
- Ensure an emergency plan is in place at your child’s school, church, rec sports, etc.
- Visit our AED Laws page to find out if an AED is mandatory for your location.
- Practice your emergency plan at work and home
- Learn the essentials of an emergency plan by visiting our Resource Center!
Take part in Sudden Cardiac Arrest month and help make a difference! If you still have questions regarding SCA or your AED, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com.
What happens when an AED reaches the end of the warranty?
Sydney Hildebrandt
If you take the chance and keep your AED that has an expired warranty, it may even cost you more to buy supplies for the device as opposed to purchasing a new one. Even if you are currently able to find the parts for your AED, certain parts may be phased out over time, which limits your ability to keep your AED rescue ready. When your AED nears the end of its warranty, give us a call. We often run promotions for upgrades to the latest technology.
If you still have questions regarding the warranty on your AED, give us a call! Our qualified reps can help you determine whether your older device should be replaced. We also offer trade-in credits for older models! For a free consultation, call us at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com.
Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How. – Learn Life Saving Skills
Sydney Hildebrandt
September is National Preparedness Month, and disasters can happen anywhere at any time. Learn a lifesaving skill this month in order to prepare yourself!
Find out what classes could be accessible to your family, friends, business, church, etc.
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class – This type of program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness. They teach skills that you can rely on during disaster situations through hands-on practice. Find a class near you!
- CPR & First Aid Training class – Learn how to save a life through our program that educates your facility on AED usage, first aid, and CPR! Schedule a class today!
- American Heart Association (AHA) online class – Find many different convenient classes to take from the comfort of your own computer! Classes range from CPR and AED classes to Bloodborne Pathogens classes. Find a course that will help you save a life, today!
If you have questions about AED usage and CPR leave us a comment, give us a call at 855-873-8503, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com
Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How. – Make and Practice Your Plan
Sydney Hildebrandt
Disaster can strike at any time and you can be prepared! Since September is National Preparedness Month, make and practice your plan with your family.
Gather together and ask yourselves these important questions:
- How will you know when an emergency strikes?
Make sure all family members with a smartphone have Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) on their device. The alerts you should have on your phone are:
- Extreme Weather Alerts (Download weather app)
- Amber Alerts (Enable setting on device)
- Presidential Alerts (Download IPAWS app)
- Where will you go during an emergency?
The safest places to go can differ depending on what type of emergency you are dealing with. You’ll want to be well informed about what shelter to take for each emergency. If you are in need of the help from a mass care shelter you can find your nearest one by texting SHELTER and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) or visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
- How will you safely evacuate during an emergency?
Know what types of disasters are likely in your community and learn the local evacuation plans for each disaster. Familiarize yourself with alternate routes out of your area and be sure to follow the instructions of local officials.
When you become an owner of an AED, you must make and practice a plan to follow during emergencies. Just like you prepare your home with a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and other emergency supplies you need to prepare your AED. AccuTrack is a program that will keep you and your AED prepared for an emergency. You wouldn’t let your emergency supplies for your home expire. Similarly, AccuTrack helps keep you accountable so that your AED supplies don’t become expired. To learn more about AccuTrack visit our website by following the link below! If you have questions about AccuTrack leave us a comment, give us a call at 855-873-8503, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com
https://www.aedbrands.com/services/program-management
Why should pads/electrodes always be plugged into an AED?
Sydney Hildebrandt
If you have an AED (a portable defibrillator), you should know there are maintenance issues that need to be addressed. One of these issues is the importance of the AED pads (electrodes) and why they need to stay connected to your device. A defibrillator is only functional if its components are up-to-date and the pads are plugged into the device at all times. In the event of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), you only have 10 minutes to save someone’s life – that includes the time it takes you to assess the victim, grab the AED, call 911, connect the victim to the AED, and begin CPR.
By keeping the pads plugged into the AED, you will save time in an emergency response. If the pads are not connected to the AED, the device is not rescue ready. By keeping the pads connected to the device, you ensure that your Automated External Defibrillator (AED) will be ready to go when there is a victim of SCA. In addition, many AEDs check for connected pads in a routine self-test. If pads are not plugged into the device, the AED will fail the self-test and it will not be rescue ready.
Some older AEDs do not have pre-connected pads, requiring the responder to connect the pads during a cardiac emergency. If you have an older device if you have questions about your AED leave us a comment, give us a call at 855-873-8503, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com
5 great AED fundraising ideas!
Sydney Hildebrandt
Approximately 7,037 children, in the United States, died from of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in 2017 (American Heart Association, 2018). If your school, church, or rec sports are not yet equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) due to financial reasons, here are some ideas to get you on your way to purchasing an AED!
- Search your community for various organizations, foundations, and individuals who may be able to help –
Foundations, such as Fire House Subs Public Safety Foundation, make it their mission to impact the lifesaving capabilities to communities. Their grants are not only for fire departments, but they also extend out to law enforcement, EMS, public safety organizations, non-profits, and schools! Find more information by visiting their website.
2. Set up a Go Fund Me account –
You’ll begin by starting your campaign on the Go Fund Me website. After you share your campaign with family and friends you’ll be able to start managing donations. By collaborating with other team members you be more successful and rally support much easier.
- Have a Bake Sale –
This idea is as easy as pie. Literally! Round up some volunteers to help bake all sorts of goodies like cakes, cookies, pies, muffins, etc. Once you set a date, place, and time you will need to spread the word about the bake sale and the cause you are fundraising for.
- Host a walkathon –
After you assemble a team for your fundraising event, set a date, place, and time. Reach out to local businesses in order to secure sponsorships for your walkathon. Be sure that you file the required event paperwork. Create registration and donation forms. Charge an admission fee and sell merchandise for your participants
- Car Wash –
All you need for a successful car wash is a warm day, volunteers, soap, water, sponges, and signs! Be sure that you check your local environmental laws about drainage. Plan ahead by bringing a donation bucket, clothesline for drying towels, and other service items (wax, window cleaner, tire cleaner, etc). Be prepared to feed and provide drinks for your hard workers!
There are many other ways to fundraise for an AED, but we hope that these ideas have given you encouragement to begin your own AED fundraiser! Remember that the only way to stop Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is to be equipped with an AED. We encourage you to do more research on AEDs and SCA before you begin fundraising so that you can spread awareness while raising money. If you still have questions about SCA leave us a comment, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com
Newman, Mary. “AHA Releases Latest Statistics on Sudden Cardiac Arrest.” The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation – You Can Save a Life Anywhere, 1 Feb. 2018, www.sca-aware.org/sca-news/aha-releases-latest-statistics-on-sudden-cardiac-arrest.
Why an ECG/EKG should be important to you!
Sydney Hildebrandt
Have you ever heard of the term, ECG or EKG? It is short for Electrocardiogram. What a mouthful! Electrocardiograms record the electrical signals in your heart, and they are commonly performed in doctor’s offices and hospitals. It is a noninvasive and painless test that detects the electrical activity with sensors, or electrodes.
An EKG is important for two reasons:
1) It measures the electrical intervals which can determine how long the electrical wave takes to pass through the heart. This indicates if the electrical activity is normal or slow, fast or irregular.
2) It measures the amount of electrical activity passing through the heart muscle. This indicates if parts of the heart are too large or overworked.
Knowing more about your heart can prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and the use of an AED. However, you’d rather have an AED and not need it, than need it and not have it. If you still have questions about Electrocardiograms, and whether you need one or not, speak with your doctor. If you still have questions about SCA leave us a comment, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ekg/about/pac-20384983
8 Shocking facts about SCA and Young Athletes
Sydney Hildebrandt
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can happen to ANYONE at ANYTIME. Approximately 350,000 people a year die from this. That’s almost 1,000 per day! The sad part is that it’s 100% treatable with the help of an AED and quality CPR. Even children and teens are affected by Sudden Cardiac Arrest and the following statistics may be pretty shocking…
- 1 student athlete dies every 3 days from SCA 1
- SCA is the number one cause of death of student athletes 2
- 9,500 youth are affected annually by SCA 2
- SCA is the second highest medical cause of death amount youth under age 25 2
- Young athletes are more than twice as likely to experience SCA than non-athletes 1
- 67% of young athletes who die suddenly are basketball and football players 1
- 90% of young athletes who fall victim of SCA are male 1
- The average age when SCA occurs in young athletes is 17.5 years 1
Let’s work together to prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest! Keep your athletes safe by making sure their school and coaches are equipped with AEDs, in case of an emergency. You may also want to ask your doctor if a heart screening is necessary. If you still have questions about SCA and how it might affect your young athlete, you can always leave us a comment, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com
1 http://www.your-heart-health.com/content/close-the-gap/en-US/heart-disease-facts/young-athletes.html
2 https://parentheartwatch.org/resources/what-is-sca/
What you need to know about your AED’s “End of Life”
Sydney Hildebrandt
When you hear the term “end of life” it can be a bit daunting. Let us make it simple for you!
What does End of Life mean?
End of life refers to an AED model being discontinued by the manufacturer. This simply means that they will no longer provide support for that particular device.
How do I know if my AED is at End of Life?
If you are unsure if your AED is at the End of Life, give us a call! We will let you know more information about your AED and how to keep your AED program up-to-date.
Do I need to buy a new AED?
When your AED is at end of life you don’t necessarily need a brand new AED right away. However, you do need to be aware that your model has been discontinued. Shortly after a device is discontinued the accessories, including pads and batteries, will no longer be available for purchase. As long as all of your components are functioning properly and passing the maintenance checks there is no need to worry! However, if upkeep is no longer available for your AED you will need to look into purchasing a new one.
What is the risk of not following end of warranty?
If your AED is past its warranty there is a possibility that it will not perform correctly during a sudden cardiac arrest emergency. Your AED will alert you if there are any maintenance issues during a routine self-check. Failure to take action when given a warning could result in a fatality.
If you still have questions about the end of life for your AED, you can always leave us a comment, give us a call at 800-580-1375, or email us at customerservice@aedbrands.com
