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Choosing an AED: 

Everything you need to know about purchasing an AED for your home or workplace

At Heart of the Nation, we know first-hand the lifesaving power of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). We are committed to providing you with comprehensive AED information and tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. 

Whether you're exploring options for a new AED, looking for a customised package, or parts and accessories for your existing device, we are here to support you every step of the way. 

Below is everything you need to know about what to look for in an AED for your environment.  

If you already know which AED is right for you, head to our shop to purchase today.

Why AEDs are Essential

Sudden Cardiac Arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time.  

Over 26,000 Australians suffer a sudden cardiac arrest every year, with 80% of these events happening at home.

 

Only 5% survive. 

But, when CPR and an AED is used within the first 3-5 minutes, survival rates can climb to between 60-70%

To increase survival rates, it's crucial to have more AEDs accessible in our communities – where we live, work, and play. 

Our vision is to ensure an AED is within one minute of every location in Australia. This proximity is key to saving more lives.

 

If you want to know more about what an AED is and how it works, head to our AED Facts page

AED Options for Every Need and Budget 

The AEDs listed below are designed to suit various circumstances and budgets. While AEDs are not cheap, their value is immeasurable when you consider their purpose - to potentially to save a life. 

 

There are 3 key things to keep in mind -

  • AEDs are simple and easy to use. Turn them on, they’ll tell you what to do. 

  • No certification is required to use an AED. Devices have been designed for public use without formal medical training. We can provide you and your community training to familiarise you with all AED models and to increase your confidence to respond to cardiac arrest events.  000 call takers around Australia will verbally guide you through how to do CPR and help you access and use an AED if one is available nearby. 

  • The device will only deliver a shock if necessary. You will not harm someone by using an AED and you are unable to misuse it. 

Choosing the Right AED 

While we don’t recommend a particular brand or model for public use, we do recommend that the AED you choose -

 

  • is purchased from an Australian supplier 

  • has Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval 

  • is within your budget 

  • has an IP rating and temperature rating suitable for your needs and intended use 

  • includes training for AED use and maintenance 

  • contains information on maintenance of the device and its warranty period 

At Heart of the Nation, we will always supply AEDs to our customers that fulfil all of these requirements, including training you on how to use and maintain the AED. 

Other factors to consider when choosing an AED 

Semi-Automatic v. Automatic AED

A semi-automatic AED requires the user to press a button to deliver the shock after the device has analysed the heart rhythm and determined that a shock is needed. This allows the rescuer(s) to make sure no one is touching the patient before administering the shock. 

An automatic AED, on the other hand, delivers the shock automatically without any user action once it determines a shock is necessary. It verbally counts down and automatically confirms when the shock is provided. 

Both types of AEDs will deliver a shock if the person requires it and provides voice prompts and visual instructions to guide the rescuer. It is up to you to decide which type of operation is best for your needs. 

IP Rating

In Australia, an IP (Ingress Protection) rating tells you how well electrical equipment is protected against solid objects, dust, and water getting inside. This rating is set by a global standard from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) under the IEC 60529 standard. 

For devices like AEDs, which may be used outdoors or in wet places, this rating is especially important and may influence the type of AED you purchase for your particular situation. The IP rating has two numbers: 

  1. The first number shows how well the device is protected from solid things like dust and hands. 

  2. The second number shows how well it is protected from water. 

 

For instance: 

An IP21 rating means the AED can handle only a bit of dust but not water. This device would be best for indoor environments. 

An IP67 rating means the AED is completely sealed against dust and water. This device could be used for outdoor environments.

Noise Level

One thing often overlooked is how noisy the place where you might use your AED can be. AEDs have been developed to have loud voice prompts but in busy or industrial areas, it's a good idea to choose an AED that also has visual prompts or screens. This can also be of assistance for those who have impaired hearing , or who have limited English, allowing them to follow the instructions more easily by seeing them. 

CPR Feedback & Coaching

CPR feedback measures the strength and rhythm of your compressions during CPR, letting you know if you are achieving optimal CPR. CPR coaching helps you Some AEDs on the market have CPR feedback or coaching instructions built into their technology. These type of instructions may be considered for additional support for laypeople who have never been trained in CPR before to assist improve the effectiveness of their chest compressions. Please remember during cardiac arrest emergencies  Ambulance Services will provide you over-the-phone support for CPR and defibrillation of the person. 

Child Pads

In environments where the AED could potentially be used on a child, it’s worth considering whether you require child pads. Some AED models come with dual adult and child pads and some have separate AED pads for children between the ages of 1 to 8 years old are available on most models.  AEDs are not recommended on infants aged less than 12 months. 

Battery & Pad Life

When purchasing an AED, the largest outlay is in the investment of your AED package. When planning your budget for an AED, it's important to think about how often you'll need to replace the batteries and pads. Both pads and batteries have an expiration date.

 

Pads must be replaced after each use. If the pads are not used, they will need to be replaced when they have expired. Pads have varied shelf life of between 2 to 5 years, depending on the model of AED you choose. Battery life can also vary; some AEDs have batteries that last 4 years, while others can last up to 7 years. These replacement costs can impact the overall expense and readiness of your AED over time. 

You must ensure that pads and batteries remain connected to the AED and are in date. 

Heart of the Nation can support you with the regular maintenance checks of your AED. 

Compare AEDs or Use Our Selection Tool

To make it easy for customers, we’ve created two tools to help you select the most-appropriate AED for you!  You can use this comparison table (below) to compare all AEDs we provide, or you can use our selection tool, so you can make the right choice for your environment. And if you are still unsure about which AED is right for your environment, get in touch.

Comparison Table
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