AED's are in most public places but we are 15-20 minutes at best for an EMS response out here on the ranch. My wife and I, and most of our friends, plus many of my students are somewhere north of 60. I have a fully equipped trauma bag, but I have been feeling the need for an AED for quite some time. It came in its own case but I put it inside a Pelican case as it will accompany me to the range for classes. They are not cheap, but the peace of mind outweighs the cost.

How much, where do I get one, and what does periodic maintenance look like?

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
How much, where do I get one, and what does periodic maintenance look like?

This is a home unit as opposed to a commercial unit. I ordered from Amazon, $1250 for the unit, got a $100 off coupon from Amazon. I paid about $125 for the Pelican case, not needed unless you are going to move it around a lot. The battery is not rechargeable but is supposed to last 5 years, new batteries are about $100. If used, the pads have to be replaced. It does a self-check of itself daily and tells you if maintenance is needed. My daughter is a physician and approved of this one, there are others, this one seemed to be a good value.

It's a very good idea to have one. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to use it.

A good friend of mine and employee had a massive heart attack Sept 23,2018. The paramedics were called instantly as someone was talking to him when it happened and alerted me and I was 20 seconds away. I performed CPR for over 10 minutes, he was gasping air from the cpr but no pulse, another yacht had an AED and he hit him with the AED one time, and 30-60 seconds later after we started cpr again (as directed by the unit), his eyes started moving, he had a pulse and was moving his head and asked us what had happened just as paramedics arrived.

I’m getting the miniature version installed Monday. I expect the price tag will be significantly more lol.

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
How much, where do I get one, and what does periodic maintenance look like?

This is a home unit as opposed to a commercial unit. I ordered from Amazon, $1250 for the unit, got a $100 off coupon from Amazon. I paid about $125 for the Pelican case, not needed unless you are going to move it around a lot. The battery is not rechargeable but is supposed to last 5 years, new batteries are about $100. If used, the pads have to be replaced. It does a self-check of itself daily and tells you if maintenance is needed. My daughter is a physician and approved of this one, there are others, this one seemed to be a good value.

Check the pads expiration date. Typically it's 2 years. The pads still work but the adhesive dries out. Good plan to keep a small towel and a safety razor in the case or nearby. People often sweat heavily when having a cardiac event, and/or if they have a hairy chest it will not help good pad adhesion at all. We always carried both in our rigs and squad cars.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
How much, where do I get one, and what does periodic maintenance look like?

I mentioned this in a previous similar thread; check with your local EMS on which unit/manufacturer they use about pad compatibility. It makes for faster transfer of care - unplug the cable from the AED & plug into the EMS' monitor/defib.

Excellent. Great investment. I hope you never have to use it, but if you ever need it, its exactly what you will need.

They make a hard case specific to that model, probably twice the cost as the Pelican you got. I think your solution is splendid and looks sharp.

Good investment. Make sure others how are around know how to use it.

That Phillips is the model I have; bought it when on sale for about $750. The battery in it is constantly on, lasts about four years. I also bought an AED instruction simulator: it talks to you like the real AED does.
One should really take a Red Cross CPR class if you plan to be serious about it. AED use instruction is included.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
That Phillips is the model I have; bought it when on sale for about $750. The battery in it is constantly on, lasts about four years. I also bought an AED instruction simulator: it talks to you like the real AED does.
One should really take a Red Cross CPR class if you plan to be serious about it. AED use instruction is included.

Please tell me where you got it for $750 I need another one.

I recently purchased 4 Zoll units. One for the XL we fly, and three for the lodge that I take the clients to frequently. May I be blessed and never need to use one. Their are excellent videos on YouTube on how to use them. The ones we purchased talk you through everything once activated.

quote:

Please tell me where you got it for $750 I need another one.

It was Amazon. Let me check my orders history:
Ok, I misremembered. Price was $899 with a $100 coupon in June 2016.

[/QUOTE]

Check the pads expiration date. Typically it's 2 years. The pads still work but the adhesive dries out. Good plan to keep a small towel and a safety razor in the case or nearby. People often sweat heavily when having a cardiac event, and/or if they have a hairy chest it will not help good pad adhesion at all. We always carried both in our rigs and squad cars.[/QUOTE]

Got the razor and nitrile gloves in there, I had not thought about the towel, good advice, added to the box, check!

I'll assume you know how to use it... have to get re-certified in CPR in January and have no desire to use that knowledge.... when I was having the big one this past April the first thing the EMT's did was shave me... I'm a bit hairy.... dry shave of the chest and back is not pleasant especially when your main artery is completely blocked...

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
I'll assume you know how to use it... have to get re-certified in CPR in January and have no desire to use that knowledge.... when I was having the big one this past April the first thing the EMT's did was shave me... I'm a bit hairy.... dry shave of the chest and back is not pleasant especially when your main artery is completely blocked...

Yes we have had training but the beauty of these units is that they can be used effectively by a person who has never touched one before. Voice instructions walk you through the entire process and the machine determines whether a shock is needed.