ZOLL Announces Airworthiness Certification for AED Pro
ZOLL Medical Corporation, makers of the ZOLL AED Plus and AED Pro, has announced that they have received notification of Airworthiness Release (AWR) from the US Army’s Research, Development, and Engineering Command for the ZOLL AED Pro. This certification states that the AED Pro complies with the US Defense Department’s criteria for medical devices and can now be used aboard MEDEVAC helicopters. The ZOLL AED Pro has undergone extensive testing by the US Army’s Aeromedical Research Laboratory. That testing included electromagnetic interference and compatibility, environmental and human factors testing in the laboratory, and also included in-flight assessments by engineers and …
Physio-Control’s LIFEPAK 1000 deployed on the International Space Station
The first AED we know of deployed into space is the Physio-Control LifePak 1000. The news was released today. Prior space missions used fully manual monitor/defibrillators. While we definitely expect extra electrode pads and batteries won’t be needed, we hope they got packed anyway. Outer space is beyond our delivery range.” We really like the post about it at MedGadget, too!
Philips applies for patent for “CPR coaching device providing tactile feedback”
Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. has applied for a patent for a CPR coaching device to be used in conjunction with, among other things, their defibrillator products. While there have been other combination CPR coaching and feedback devices available for some time, namely integrated into the AED line from ZOLL Medical Corporation as well as a stand-alone product, the Philips patent application shows their device to have some advanced capability. Specifically, it coaches the rescuer via voice prompts to “press “harder” or “softer” or “faster” or “slower,” during the chest compression phase of CPR. ZOLL’s “Real CPR Help®” is integrated into …
When are you most likely to have a heart attack?
If your answer is something like “immediately after stressful activity,” try again! The answer surprised us that on average, the risk is highest between 6am and 12 noon and not after a hard day’s work. The entire article is available here from TIME Magazine.
The “new” CPR…your questions answered here
If you haven’t heard about it, yet…where have you been? Yesterday the American Heart Association validated the new “chest compression only” CPR method (a.k.a. CCR, Hands-Only, or CC-CPR) as an “acceptable alternative” to the way previously taught using rescue breathing. You can download and read the entire article here. CPR instructors should click here to view the AHA web cast. There are 2 reasons for the acceptance of this new “Hands-Only” procedure. One, it is effective. Two, it’s been known that bystanders have been reluctant to perform mouth-to-mouth breathing on strangers. Now it’s no longer a concern for the most …
The ZOLL PocketCPR device is now available at the AED Superstore
It’s finally here and in stock! We reviewed the ZOLL PocketCPR device in a previous post in this blog which you can read here. It’s a pocket-sized CPR coach that goes one step further than other similar products…it provides feedback to help rescuers perform chest compressions properly during a resuscitation emergency. It’s a great addition to a first aid kit, emergency oxygen kit, or just to have around wherever a potential emergency may occur. For those who are unsure of or uncomfortable with their CPR skills, the PocketCPR is an invaluable tool! Order online or call a friendly AED Superstore …
The New ZOLL AED Plus Trainer2
ZOLL Medical Corporation, makers of the ZOLL AED Plus and AED Pro, also offers the ZOLL AED Plus Trainer2. This trainer has pre-programmed scenarios with manual capabilities and remote controls. The new Trainer2 has a wireless remote allowing for more mobility and flexibility for the instructor. The Trainer 2 comes with four different rescue scenarios. With the wireless remote the instructor can control multiple AED Plus Trainer2s. The unit is powered by 4 “D”cell batteries (included), which provides up to 100 hours of training. No AC adapter to anchor the unit down. The remote uses 2 “AA” batteries (included). The ZOLL AED …
Rechargeable vs. Non-rechargeable Battery
You are starting an AED Program, and you have many questions, one of which is, “wouldn’t it be more practical to have a rechargeable battery in my AED?” Great question! Let’s see if we can clear up some of the misconceptions about having a rechargeable battery instead of a long-life lithium non-rechargeable battery. The non-rechargeable lithium batteries generally have a useful life of about 4 – 5 years in standby mode. “Standby mode” is when the AED is rescue ready and the only drain on the battery is from the AED performing its daily, weekly, or monthly self test. They’re …
Chest compression CPR already catching on
Glendale firefighters in Arizona are teaching their residents the new chest compression only CPR we wrote about in a previous post. The Arizona Republic wrote about it today and it appears the turnout is huge. Their class is taught in about 2 hours which is about half the class time of a current full CPR class. Although the current American Heart Association and American Red Cross CPR curriculum doesn’t recognize this method (yet), we applaud any effort that empowers more people to save lives. New “Guidelines” here we come (although it could still be a few years away)!
Philips Heartstart OnSite factory rebate ends December 21, 2007
Receive a $125 rebate for every Philips Heartstart OnSite AED you buy from the AED Superstore (www.aedsuperstoreblog.com.) You’d better hurry…this rebate ends December 21, 2007!
Chest compressions without rescue breathing may be as effective as “traditional” CPR–new method known as “CC-CPR”
The December issue of Circulation reports on the conclusions of two studies which show CPR done without rescue breathing may be as effective as the compression/ventilation combination we’re taught to do now. The new method is called “CC-CPR.” “CC” stands for “chest compressions.” The studies were conducted in Sweden and Japan. An article about the findings was posted by U.S. News and World Report. It is not a part of the current American Heart Association or American Red Cross CPR protocols. The amount of data coming out about this has us convinced that CC-CPR will be considered as …
New CPR promises better results by compressing abdomen, not chest
A biomedical engineer at Purdue University has developed an alternative CPR compression technique that is nothing like we’ve seen before. It’s a new method of performing chest compressions on a patient that appears effective and is the second alternative we’ve seen that downplays the step of rescue breathing. Although this news item was released back in September of this year, it appears in print in this month’s issue of JEMS.
ZOLL announces new and improved “CPR-D” electrode pads
ZOLL’s unique single-piece electrode pads keep getting better and better! Known as their CPR-D padz, they were the first one-piece AED electrode system and came with an unprecedented 4-year shelf life and supported the ZOLL AED Plus‘ CPR feedback feature. Earlier this year ZOLL announced an extended shelf-life of 5-years for their CPR-D padz. Today, they proudly announce other key improvements like: Lower Profile CPR Sensor The new low profile shape of the CPR sensor lends itself to better contour to the victim’s chest resulting in a more even distribution of force and pressure. And… Added …
Philips announces deadline for G2005 AED updates
In late November 2005 the American Heart Association announced changes to the “rules” of CPR. The new way to perform CPR became known as “Guidelines 2005.” The new guidelines should have prompted all AED owners to upgrade their machines to conform to the new guidelines. Since the new ruling went into affect 2 years ago, Philips, makers of the OnSite, FRx, FR3, and other AED models, has announced a deadline for upgrade availability for their Heartstart line of automated external defibrillators. Owners of these devices have until December 31, 2007 to place their upgrade order with Philips Medical Systems. …
Preventing cardiac arrest in kids
We discussed the rarity “myth” of pediatric cardiac arrest in a recent post, but now we learn that there’s perhaps a preventative measure. Simply screening kids for heart problems before they engage in athletic activities might be all it takes. Parents and school officials will want to read this article.
Meet Dr. Bernard Lown…inventor of the defibrillator
Ask any doctor or paramedic who has been around awhile about what it was like to use an early model defibrillator and you’ll hear about how big and heavy they used to be. AEDs weren’t even on the radar back then. The very first external defibrillator was developed by Dr. Bernard Lown in the 1960’s after reading a paper written by Dr. Paul Zoll. (The ZOLL name should be familiar to our readers by now!) It weighed over 60 lbs and was anything but portable. But it was the first major step in changing the way sudden cardiac …
