Our comprehensive AED resource center provides you with all the information you need for automated external defibrillators (AEDs), sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and other heart health topics. Whether you’re buying your first AED for home or business or you’re a seasoned healthcare professional, you’ll find the latest and most important news and information about AEDs right here.
Getting Started
Buying your first AED and implementing a cardiac emergency response program can be a daunting task. Our AED resource center is full of guides, how-tos, and other resources you need to take the first step towards a comprehensive cardiac safety program. Start here to feel comfortable and confident when it’s time to make your first AED purchase.
Introduction to Public Access Defibrillation Programs
Creating a successful Public Access Defibrillation Program (PAD) Table of Contents What is public access defibrillation (PAD)? Why is a PAD/AED program important? What is the current state of Pad / AED programs in the U.S.? What makes for a successful pad program? AEDs Save Lives An AED – short for automated external defibrillator – is an easy-to-use medical device that can restore a normal heart rhythm to someone who has gone into cardiac arrest. CPR and AED use recently received national attention in 2023 when Buffalo Bills football player Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field in Cincinnati following a …
Best AEDs for 2023
Cardiac arrest has been the leading cause of natural death in the United States for years, but thanks to innovative AED technology, along with training programs from excellent organizations such as the National Safety Council sudden cardiac arrest deaths in America are on the decline (as of November 4th, 2022). In addition to lifestyle and heart-health knowledge, advancements in cardiac technology have provided us with many automated external defibrillators. When immediately engaged in proper use, defibrillators can produce survival rates as high as 50-70%. This is a profound improvement on the 9% survival rate associated with CPR compressions alone. …
What is an AED Package & Should You Buy One?
Table of Contents What is an AED Package? What does an AED Package Contain? Should I buy a Package or single AED? Popular AED Machine Packages Purchasing an AED is a big decision whether you’re buying a single AED machine for your home or business, or you’re purchasing multiple AEDs as part of a large public access defibrillation effort. Finding the AED that best fits your needs, is within budget, and has all the related AED accessories you need can be daunting. Enter the AED package. What is an AED Package? Simply put, an AED package is a product that …
What is AED? What is an AED?
AED stands for “Automated External Defibrillator” and is sometimes written as automated external defibrillator AED, AED machine, AED unit, AED device, etc.. An AED is a medical device used in case of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) to give life-saving aid to the victim. AED machines link a pre-programmed computer to a unique user interface and special electrical pads. They are made to be highly portable and designed for use in quick response to an SCA emergency. AEDs are capable of guiding any rescuer to give: 1) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and 2) heart-rhythm correcting, life-saving shock(s) to victims, wherever they may …
Existing Owners
Our AED resource center arms you and your team with all the information you need to know about managing and maintaining your AEDs. Learn the latest SCA scientific research, understand the most recent CPR guideline changes, read case studies, and discover more about the AED products and accessories you already own.
Reasons To Replace An Outdated AED
AEDs have been around for more than 20 years now. Many older AEDs are still in service and capable of saving lives.
Public Access Defibrillation Laws & Guidelines
A Review of Public Access Defibrillation and the 13 Essential Elements to an Optimum PAD Program The term sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) refers to an electrical malfunction within the cardiac system, causing the heart to stop beating. When SCA occurs, the heart experiences ventricular fibrillation (V-fib/VF) or ventricular tachycardia (V-tach/VT) and the rendering the victim unconscious. The lack of oxygenated blood to the brain causes brain tissue damage and eventually death. Emergency medical services (EMS) respond to approximately 300,000 out-of-hospital SCA each year. On average, less than 8% of those who experience SCA survive the trip to the hospital. The number …
CPR Survival Rates a Comparison
Cardiac arrests strike without warning, causing a complete loss of consciousness. If someone loses consciousness in front of you and does not respond to being tapped on the shoulders or answer if they are OK, you should call 9-1-1 immediately and get an AED if one is available. If the person has stopped breathing normally, you should administer CPR.[1] In this article we explore CPR survival rates and the science surrounding early response variations in assisting someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. CPR and AEDs are both recommended for the treatment of sudden cardiac arrest. There are multiple methods for administering CPR and the combination of these variants along …
Research
How can we improve upon the current state of things? How do statistics correlate to improvements? Where can I get the answers to the many questions regarding sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, CPR and more? It all comes from research!
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Statistics
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a serious and often lethal medical condition, but its exact definition, the statistics behind its occurrence, and recorded survival rates are not always in consensus.
EKG: A Quick Reference Guide
A brief explanation of several of the more common EKG waveforms which may be encountered during a cardiac emergency response. This reference guide is by no means complete and is merely intended as a refresher resource. Interpreting an EKG waveform should be performed by certified medical professionals only. Ventricular Fibrillation EKG Characteristics: Ventricular fibrillation exhibits a chaotic rhythm and unmeasurable rate. QRS complexes are non-identifiable as are T and P-waves. The P-R interval is not measurable. Rhythm Chaotic Rate Unmeasurable QRS Absent P wave Absent P-R interval Not measurable Additional Info – What Causes Ventricular Fibrillation? Ventricular fibrillation, also called V-fib, …
Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes
Who’s more at risk for sudden death – young healthy athletes, or older, sedentary adults? Read on to learn more about how sudden cardiac death (SCD) affects everyone, no matter their age, race or gender. Surprisingly, SCD takes the lives of healthy athletes every day. Athletes are often idolized for their physical prowess, but despite society’s assumptions of their health and fitness, this group in particular is prone to sudden cardiac death (SCD). When a young athlete is lost to SCD, the impact of this loss can be felt throughout their family, friends, school, and community. Such losses are often …
The AED Superstore offers the best service, support, and largest selection of AED models for sale available anywhere! We're owned and operated by EMS professionals who continue to use automated external defibrillators in the field. You can count on us to help you make the right decision for your AED program!