Would you buy one?

AED - automated external defibrillator. While I have no problem with these devices in the home, especially in homes where there is a cardiac patient, for the usual lay public they aren't very helpful. Several studies have shown that having trained users in highly populated public areas such as airports and sports arenas do save lives. However, these are trained rescuers, not some untrained family members.

I thought about the use in home setting for cardiac patients- then I thought "Get a pacemaker!"

It is cool to me that these are becoming much more available, however, it scares me to think about them being in places for folks without training. What if your kids get ahold of it, put the pads on and try to find out what happens when they tap the leads (v-fib?)!

I have seen that one of the pharmacy chains has them but only with a prescription. I would HOPE that if your physician ordered one that they would also require that all family members to take at leasta citizen cpr class.

I thought about the use in home setting for cardiac patients- then I thought "Get a pacemaker!"

It is cool to me that these are becoming much more available, however, it scares me to think about them being in places for folks without training. What if your kids get ahold of it, put the pads on and try to find out what happens when they tap the leads (v-fib?)!

I thought that AED's can't be activated if they detect a stable heart rhythm, that it was built in so that people can't do it just for fun or incorrectly or whatever?

That said, I don't think they should be sold 'over the counter'. Training oughta be mandatory before ownership.

the purpose of an AED is that they can be used by anyone. Like they are now being seen in malls, etc. they walk you through using it and yes if the person does not have a shockable rythm it will not shock. they were invented for the lay person to use. most I have seen come with a user video that can be watched if purchasing for home use. but technically they were made to be used by someone with no training.

Actually for what it's worth the first save with an AED at Ohare in Chicago was by an 11 year old who had learned about them in school.

Also the particular AED most likely is the one by Phillips. In being allowed to sell it to the general public they had to do significant study that it would/could be used properly by someone with minimal training. This particular model infact does talk the user through how to use it. It is pretty idiot proof as it will not allow you to shock someone with a beating heart as does most AED's.

RJ

AED - automated external defibrillator. While I have no problem with these devices in the home, especially in homes where there is a cardiac patient, for the usual lay public they aren't very helpful. Several studies have shown that having trained users in highly populated public areas such as airports and sports arenas do save lives. However, these are trained rescuers, not some untrained family members.

There was an incident I heard about, close to home, where a paramedic "shocked" another paramedic with one of these "just kidding around" and she died. I am thinking maybe he placed it somewhere on her body where the heart rhythm didn't pick up, so it shocked?

There was an incident I heard about, close to home, where a paramedic "shocked" another paramedic with one of these "just kidding around" and she died. I am thinking maybe he placed it somewhere on her body where the heart rhythm didn't pick up, so it shocked?

Wow, how said. I bet the prankster was shocked alright (no pun) :stone

I don't think I would buy one.

Wow, how said. I bet the prankster was shocked alright (no pun) :stone

I don't think I would buy one.

Yes shocked all right... and arrested I believe :stone

I thought about the use in home setting for cardiac patients- then I thought "Get a pacemaker!"

It is cool to me that these are becoming much more available, however, it scares me to think about them being in places for folks without training. What if your kids get ahold of it, put the pads on and try to find out what happens when they tap the leads (v-fib?)!

The one that we used in CPR class would not activate if there was a stable heart rhythm present. It really was pretty dummy proof. Well, as much as anything can be anyway!

JennaRN2008

The AED's on the market have been okayed so that any person can use it. It won't shock a beating heart. and they are made to talk you threw it. All the ones that our paramedics use here are regular defibrillators, but I would imagine some voluteers would use the AED's. If I could afford one I would buy it and keep it in the trunk of my car.