Has it ever crossed your mind how you would respond in the event of a cardiac arrest emergency? If yes, you might have wondered how to use a defibrillator. Defibrillators, commonly known as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), are indispensable devices that deliver a controlled electric shock to the heart, helping to restore a normal heartbeat. But the thing is not every defibrillator is designed for all environments or users. Some may be complex or lack the durability needed for public use.
The Heartsine defibrillator is the best AED on the market thanks to its compact and user-friendly design, suitable for diverse settings, including schools, offices, airports, and more. It comes with one set of pads, which offer a considerable shelf life due to the water and dust resistance features. Continue reading to learn how to use the Heartsine defibrillators during an emergency.
Top Heartsine Defibrillators Options
Before we dive into how to use AEDs, here are the top Heartsine Defibrillators praised for their durability, effectiveness and user-friendly design.
Heartsine 360P Defibrillator
Heartsine 360P is a perfect addition for anyone looking for a straightforward, automated solution for sudden cardiac arrest. The devices are simple and fully automated, requiring no manual intervention once the pads are placed on a victim.
You see, using a defibrillator for the first time can seem like the next possible mission. You have a life at risk, and you must use the defibrillator correctly to administer the shock. Such pressure can cause anxiety, leading to undesirable results. Heartsine 360P defibrillators cater to first-timers, eliminating such anxiety.
All you have to do is turn the machine on and place the pads on the victim. From there, the machine will give you voice prompts telling you whether a shock is needed. If a shock is needed, you will get a countdown to steer clear of the victim as the shock is applied.
HeartSine 350P Defibrillator
The Heartsine 350P Defibrillator is similar to the 360P defibrillator; the only difference is that the device is semi-automatic. This means that users must press a button to administer the shock. Not to worry; the 350P also has visual and voice prompts to guide you throughout the process. Once the pads are on the victim’s chest, the device will automatically assess the victim’s heart rhythm, and a voice prompt will give you instructions on how and when to press the button.
Heartsine 500P Defibrillators
If you want to monitor how well you administer CPR, the Heartsine 500P Defibrillators are worth adding to your first aid kit arsenal. This semi-automated device has a specialised feature of real-time CPR feedback that allows users to assess their performance after administering CPR. As a result, individuals can identify their strengths and work to improve on their weaknesses. The Heartsine 500P Defibrillator is also small and lightweight, perfect for limited-space environments like offices, planes, or vehicles.
How to USe a Heartsine Defibrillator
Recognise the Symptoms
First things first, it’s essential to be sure that someone is having a cardiac arrest before using a defibrillator on them. Individuals experiencing cardiac arrest may show the following symptoms:
- Sudden collapse or loss of consciousness
- Absence of breathing or irregular breathing
- No detectable pulse
If you verify the victim has the following signs, immediately dial 000 for emergency services and prepare to use a defibrillator. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you in such an emergency.
Retrieve the Defibrillator
Timely response is the key to increasing a person’s survival rate. That said, it is always essential to have your defibrillator stored in an accessible location. Most public spaces have AEDs mounted on walls for easy accessibility. Once you get the Heartsine defibrillator, return it to the victim.
Activate the Defibrillator
Press the on/off button to activate the defibrillator. Once switched on, you will receive voice prompts instructing you how to use it. As you wait for the defibrillator to activate, administer CPR if the victim is unresponsive and not breathing.
Apply the Electrode Pads
Heartsine defibrillators usually have a set of pads with clear diagrams indicating where to place them on a person’s chest. To attach the electrode pads, dry the chest if wet and place the pads as shown in each diagram while you continue CPR.
Allow the Defibrillator to Analyse
Once the pads are securely attached to the victim’s chest, they will assess the heart rhythm. Make sure no one is touching the person during this analysis.
Deliver the Shock (If instructed)
After the analysis, you will get a voice prompt indicating whether a shock is needed or not. In the case where a shock is needed and you are using a semi-automated defibrillator, you will get a countdown to help you press the shock button in time. For anyone using a fully automated device like the Heartsine 360P defibrillator, you will also get a voice prompt of when to break contact to allow the shock to be applied automatically.
Perform CPR
Once the shock is applied, you will receive voice prompts to continue CPR if needed. Perform chest compressions and rescue breaths as directed, typically 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths. During this time, the defibrillator may re-analyze the heart’s rhythm and instruct you to deliver additional shocks. Follow the instructions until professional help arrives.
FAQs About Using Defibrillators
What’s the difference between an automatic and a semi-automatic defibrillator?
Fully Automated defibrillators, as the name suggests, apply shock automatically without needing the user to press the shock button. Semi-automated defibrillators have a shock button that users must press to administer a shock when needed.
Are Heartsine Defibrillators safe?
Using a Heartsine defibrillator can’t cause any physical injury or get you into legal trouble. And yes, this applies regardless of whether you have first-aid training or not. There are laws (Good Samaritan Laws) designed to protect bystanders who may attempt to save a person suffering from a cardiac arrest. Whether it’s administering CPR or a shock, you can rest assured you will be safe whether the victim survives or dies.
Do I need training to use a defibrillator?
A high percentage of cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital. As a result, most AEDs in public places have a simple and user-friendly design, allowing individuals with no medical training to use the device. With the integrated voice prompts and visual instructions, you can successfully administer a shock no matter the time or place of the emergency.
We bet you are now confident in your ability to use a defibrillator. If you need to buy one for individual or public use, we recommend you get one from the best manufacturer. Heartsine defibrillators are the best AEDs due to their efficacy and user-friendly features. Be sure to check out our top picks to make the best choice.