Guide To Buying AED: How To Purchase Defibrillators
Purchase AEDs: Why Buying AEDs is a Smart Decision
In the United States 1,000 people every single day experience a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), and only 10% survive. Cardiac arrest affects people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, and even those who seem perfectly healthy, which is why it is important to invest in an accessible, easy-to-use Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Whether you’re a parent looking to protect your family or a law enforcement agency looking to equip your squad cars, having an AED on hand increases the chances of immediate defibrillation, which is crucial to save a life during cardiac arrest.
By owning an AED, you can provide immediate lifesaving assistance when during a cardiac emergency where time is of the utmost essence. Read on to learn about the features you should consider when making this important and potentially lifesaving purchase.
Buying an AED: Key Features
How To Evaluate Features When Buying an AED
Deciphering AED features and deciding what device to purchase can be overwhelming. What are the most affordable AEDs? What even is an IP rating? We hope to clarify your questions, share important facts, and help you find what AED unit is right for you!
Let’s start with the most important features to consider.
Ease of AED Access
AEDs are only useful if they’re retrieved and used when they’re needed. AEDs left in a cabinet on the wall offer no protection during an emergency. Similarly, AEDs that are bulky or unsightly often get relegated to closets or hidden locations where they can’t be found when they’re needed the most.
Several elements can help lead to improved AED accessibility:
- AEDs made for your user group. Some models are intended for use by people who have had hours of CPR/AED training, not lay responders.
- A modern, user-friendly design.
- Smaller, lighter AEDs.
AED Portability
The most effective AED programs are often those with mobile and portable units, which can increase the odds that an AED will be near a cardiac arrest victim in need. Since cardiac arrests are unpredictable and rapid defibrillation is critical for survival, it’s important to have an AED that is both small and light enough to carry on the go.
Large and bulky AEDs are obviously more difficult to transport, so highly-portable devices are a desirable option.
Find the smallest AED that meets your needs by comparing AED size and weight.
Avive has developed the lightest and smallest FDA-approved AED available — weighing just 2.1 lbs with the Avive Connect installed, and built for accessibility and portability.
Once you’ve done the most important part, getting the AED to the patient when it’s needed, it’s time to make sure it’s easy to operate.
AED Usability
AEDs can be intimidating, particularly for untrained responders.
It’s critical to find a defibrillator that is easy-to-use by you, and anyone else who might come into contact with the device during an emergency. One way to test how easy a unit is to use is to try it out with zero instructions. Try going through the full rescue scenario and time yourself to see how long it takes to use it properly. After testing out a few models, you should start to identify some differences. Was the AED easy to power on? Were the instructions clear? Were the electrode pads easy to find and use?
Common AED usability observations:
- Clear “power on” button or AED activation. Lids or confusing and unclear methods of activation waste time during an emergency; time that can’t be spared.
- Clean and simple usability features. Too many graphics can be difficult to follow during high stress events.
- Once the AED is powered on, the electrode pads will need to be properly placed. The pads should be easy to follow with side-by-side graphics clearly showing you where they should be placed. Some AEDs make this easier than others.
Once you find a product that’s accessible and easy to operate during an emergency, learn more about what it takes to manage and oversee your AED so that it’s always ready in the event of an emergency.
AED Maintenance
How much time and effort it takes to maintain?
Twenty years ago, when some of the first public access AEDs were introduced to the public, owners would have to check the AED’s manually to ensure they are working and that their consumables hadn’t expired, but in the last decade like everything in the world – connectivity has streamlined AED maintenance.
The burdensome, time-consuming, and error-prone task of AED maintenance, is no longer a factor if you are buying AED units that are right for you.
Learn why keeping your AEDs maintained is important, and also compare the maintenance requirements for each AED model (as recommended by the manufacturer), as well as the advantages of owning a connected AED with our AED Connectivity guide.
Improper maintenance risks the life of cardiac arrest victims and exposes AED owners to liability. There is nothing good that comes from poor AED maintenance.
Unfortunately, maintenance of many of today’s AEDs is a burdensome, time-consuming, and error-prone task, especially if you own multiple AEDs!
To address this industry-wide problem, Avive set out to create a web and mobile platform to simplify AED maintenance and fleet management. Avive’s REALConnect services are designed to wirelessly automate AED maintenance and streamline ownership.
AED Connectivity
Is the AED “smart”?
In a world where connectivity is everything, AEDs are finally getting connected!
For years, a lack of connectivity has made AED maintenance and Program Management overly burdensome. This lack of connectivity also has created barriers to sharing important cardiac arrest event data.
Learn about the advantages of owning a connected AED, and also compare the capabilities of connected devices, with our AED Connectivity guide.
AED Cost Comparison
Consider the upfront and lifetime costs
Cost is undoubtedly one of the more important factors when it comes to purchasing an AED. Comparing AED prices and finding a unit that’s within your budget without having to sacrifice the features you need can be a challenge.
AEDs generally cost between $1,275- $3,400 for the upfront purchase of the device. However, it’s important to understand that the initial purchase price of the AED is not the only expense you’ll incur for each of your units. To get an accurate price comparison, you'll need to consider the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for each unit when evaluating which model works best for your budget. The TCO includes the initial purchase price, the cost of battery replacement, electrode pads, and any other supplies for your AED to remain operable. Additional AED accessories such as carrying cases, wall cabinets, and then the time it will take to maintain the device are all costs that should be considered.
In other words, a low initial purchase price does not always mean that you’ll be spared future expenses. Our AED cost comparison breaks down all the potential costs associated with owning an AED. For each AED model, we share the difference between the up-front AED cost and the ongoing expenses AEDs require over time.
AED Durability & IP
How long will the AED last?
It doesn’t matter if you plan to keep your AED at home or if you’re buying AED units for your office, it’s always a good idea to make sure the device is durable.
Learn how AED durability is measured and which devices offer the best protection with our AED durability comparison.
Other AED Comparison Resources:
- AED Comparison Tool
- The Ultimate Guide to AED Child Pads
- Pros and Cons of Fully-automatic vs. Semi-automatic AEDs
- AED Upgrades: How to update an AED’s software
- The Importance of AED Unit Indemnification Policies, made simple!
Defibrillator FAQs
Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,275 to $3,400 for an AED.
The Avive Connect AED is $1,649.99 to buy and own outright, and it will always be shipped . Streamline your purchasing process and get continuous tech support directly from the manufacturer, Avive.
We also have a payment plan option called our LIFESaver Plan™, please give us a call to learn more! 1 (800) 489-4428.