Guide To Buying AED: How To Purchase Defibrillators

AED Comparisons

How To Evaluate The Features That Matter When Buying AED Units

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.

AED Accessibility: Getting AEDs Where They’re Needed When They’re Needed

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: Comparing AED Size and Weight

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.