Who Can Use an AED or a Defibrillator?

Many people think that an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and a standard defibrillator are the same. In a manner of speaking, they are as an AED is a type of defibrillator. Both are medical devices that can save a person’s life. However, the two devices have some crucial differences.

Shocking the Heart Into a Normal Rhythm

Medical grade defibrillators and AEDs are life-saving devices. The job of both is to deliver an electric current, sometimes called a countershock, to revive an irregular heartbeat. All types of defibrillators can be used when administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The way in which AEDs and defibrillators deliver the electrical current differs.

Using an AED

AEDs are public access devices. That means anyone, even people who do not have any formal medical training, can use them when they detect a medical emergency that involves the heart. AEDs can detect heart arrhythmias that occur on their own or after a sudden cardiac arrest and automatically deliver the electric current to a patient when the device deems it necessary.

The general public can use AEDs because they come with step-by-step instructions that include details on how to place the pad stickers on the patient’s chest to detect arrhythmias. An AED will automatically indicate when a shock is needed and then wait for the operator to stand back and press the shock button to deliver the electrical current. It even indicates when someone should perform CPR on a patient.

Using a Medical-Grade Defibrillator

Hospital defibrillators are made specifically for emergency situations where trained medical personnel are present. These machines are larger and much more expensive and require the knowledge of trained doctors or technicians to read the outputs and determine how large of a shock to give the patient as well as when to administer the shock.

Find AEDs and Defibrillators at Coast Biomedical

Coast Biomedical has a large selection of new and refurbished AEDs and medical-grade defibrillators. Our staff can help you select the emergency AED or defibrillator that is appropriate for your medical or public access facility.