Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator (AED)
|
List Price: Our Price: $1,190.00 You Save: $805.00 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy 3rd Party: from $1,125.00 (click here) Category: Health Care See more product details |
|---|
Customer Reviews of Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator (AED)
Customer Review: Outstanding, a must own device!
Summary: 5 Stars
Most people know that while CPR can keep life-giving blood and oxygen circulating after a heart attack, it cannot restart a victim's heart. An AED, on the other hand, frequently can. I've worked security at a football stadium for 20 years where we average at a little more than one and a half heart attacks per game. When trained medical staff arrive in time the odds of survival are extremely high. If they are not readily available (like in your home) bad things can happen. With the HeartStart, advanced live-saving equipment is close at hand. Fortunately I've never had to use one of these in real-life but I have taken several classes with them (most CPR courses now include AED). I have seen it used on the job and also know two people whose lives were saved in their homes by this device.
The really cool thing about this particular model is that a clear, calm voice provides step-by-step instructions for you to follow. It will even coach you through the steps of CPR. It's extremely well designed; nearly idiot proof because it senses and adapts the instructions based on your actions. It uses sophisticated technology to quickly decide whether or not a shock is necessary and will only deliver a shock if needed. So long as you follow the directions, don't touch the victim when the shock is delivered, and don't try using the device in standing water you're good to go.
The battery is supposed to last four years (mine is just over a year old so I'll just have to take their word on that one). This machine also performs comprehensive daily self-tests so that it is always ready if you need it. You can check its status at a glance. There is great technical support, including a step-by-step video available at the web site (though I do recommend taking the American Heart Association CPR/AED course regardless).
Parting thoughts: according to the CDC, about 450,000 people die in the United States each year from sudden cardiac arrest. Coronary heart disease is the single most common cause of death in the United States. Sudden cardiac death is believed to account for half of all coronary heart disease deaths. Don't let your loved one's become one of these statistics.
Although prices are coming down, these machines are fairly expensive. If you or a loved one has a heart condition or a genetic predisposition toward one you'll probably want to own an AED, especially if you live in a rural area where emergency medical personnel may take a while to arrive. I consider it an excellent investment in such cases. In many instances Medicare or private insurance will cover the cost of these devices so it's a good idea to inquire about that. It's also not a bad idea to check with your doctor to determine whether or not he/she thinks it is a prudent precaution to own an AED. If you're a business owner with employees and/or customers who may be susceptible to medical problems I sincerely believe that this is a must own device. It is a cost-effective way of not only saving lives but also staving off potential lawsuits.
Customer Review: It is simple to use, may possibly save a life, and the price is worth the peace of mind.
Summary: 5 Stars
I just completed the red cross Adult AED training course, and had the opportunity to train with this exact Philips device. The machine is very simple to use, and gives very clear and precise audio instructions while using it.
I absolutely recommend an AED training course, or else at minimum reading the directions thoroughly BEFORE you ever are in a situation where you might have to use the AED, so that you are familiar and comfortable with the steps you would take in the unfortunate case that you would actually have to use the AED.
I understand other reviewers' perspectives that the investment may not be 'cost effective', and that the likelihood that you would ever use it is very low and so therefore a 'waste of money'.
Yes it is expensive, but you cannot really put a price on a saved life - it is priceless. And, the cost for the AED has come down significantly in the last year. If you can afford a Starbucks coffee every day, for example, then you can certainly afford to buy one of these.
In my opinion, the AED provides a tremendous value as a worst-case precautionary measure.... Though the AED only works in select cases of fibrillation, and the strength of shock is lower than what an EMT can provide, the point of this AED is in cases when you have called 911, and help is on the way but NOT YET THERE.... it only shocks if after the device performs an analysis, it determines the shock is appropriate for the situation -- so you don't risk hurting the person in distress by using it, as long as you follow the simple directions (i.e. when it is analyzing and shocking, you and all other parties must stand clear and not touch the person who is being cared for).
I also recommend learning or reviewing CPR skills and procedures so that you know what to do in the event that you need to provide care for someone else. If you ever use the AED, you will likely need to also perform CPR.
Perhaps this is not true for everybody. But for me, in my own case, it is better to have the peace of mind that I try and do everything I possibly can to help aide and care for a person in distress.
I hope and pray that this is the "worst" investment I have ever made as I hope to never be in a situation where I would have to actually USE the AED -- but if I ever do find myself where a person in my home is suffering from chest pain or becomes unconscious, I would rather have the AED on hand (and know how to use it) and take the chance that it might help them, but know there is a good chance it might not, but at least I know I did everything I could while waiting for the EMT to arrive.... than not have the AED as an option at all.
Customer Review: Physician approved but not right for everyone
Summary: 5 Stars
Though I am a doctor, this review should not be interpreted as medical advice as I am not aware of your personal risk of heart disease. The decision to buy one of these is up to you and your physician. Below I explain why I am considering betting one of these, factors that may influence your decision to by one for your home, and why as a business owner you may want to get one.
I do not own this product but am looking to get one for my car/home. I am doing so because as a physician I have saved lives with these devices in the hospital. I know how critical it is to rapidly correct short circuits in the largest portion of the heart, called the ventricles. These short circuits, known as v tach or v fib can only be reliably fixed within several minutes of onset. Even if you dial 911 it may be too late by the time paramedics arrive.
On the other hand the chance that any single person will need one of these devices is low. And the cost is not cheap!
Things that you may want to factor into your decision to buy one of these devices is whether you have someone in your family who is at moderate risk for heart disease and short circuits. For example someone with a prior heart attack but who still has a strong heart might consider having one of these (people with weak hearts may actually want to have a defibrillator implanted into their skin). If you live alone this would not be a wise choice since someone else will need to use if on you. I think it would be wise to be trained in Basic Life Saving if you want to use this devise to prevent inappropriate use that may be harmful. Also you definitely need to keep this out of the reach of kids.
So if you are someone at risk for a short circuit of your heart, live with someone who can get trained in life saving, have the money, and especially if you live a long way from a paramedic, think about buying one of these devices. Things such as food, medication, heat are much more important however.
If you own/run a business with customers or employees over 50 years old, such as a health club or restaurant, get one and get trained. You could save the life of a customer or employee, which is wonderful in many ways. I also guarantee you there is a lawyer waiting for one of your patrons to have a heart attack and die at your business and sue you for millions because "you were too cheap" to buy one of these. So both from a humanity, good business, and liability standpoint this is a wise investment for a business owner.
Customer Review: THIS WILL SAVE LIVES
Summary: 5 Stars
I have not used this product but have used AED's from other companies as well as using the hands-on type of defibrillator used in EDs and in ambulances. These devices save lives, no questions asked. I agree with the posters who suggest training is needed. It should be a pre-requisite that one must received at least basic cardiac care/first aid and CPR prior to being able to purchase this device. Basic CPR now includes a chapter on how to use an AED and that training should suffice. After receiving this low level of training and furnishing the card to Phillips, the person should be able to purchase this device. An AED is safe, effective and fills the gap from the onset of cardiac arrest to the arrival of first responders.
My dad died this week in a large city in British Columbia. He was taken to a Walk-In-Clinic as he was 30 minutes away from a hospital, 4-5 minutes away from the clinic. The benchmark standard ambulance response time that most EMS systems try to achieve is 8 minutes. Even with an 8 minute response time, the crew will require at least 30 to 90 seconds to get the equipment set-up and ready to use. Thus, the patient has waited around 8.5 to 9.5 minutes, at a mininum, with CPR only (if the patient is lucky). The likely of a successful defibrillation after 10 minutes of CPR and oxygen ventilation is around 0-25%, since for every minute wasted waiting for defibrillation, the likelyhood of success decreases by 7-10%.
By taking my father the 4-5 minutes to the clinic, before he arrested, and being under the treatment of a medical doctor, was the right choice. But, the clinic lacked this basic but fundemental life saving device. The clinic did not posess an AED. After five 911 calls and 19 minutes of CPR, the first ambulance showed up, and it happened to be an advanced life support crew with all the tools to save lives. After 19 minutes though, the likelyhood of a successful defibrillation is very minimal if not impossible. My father died.
This device would have saved my dad's life. Maybe it will save yours.
Darren
Customer Review: Power to Save A Life
Summary: 5 Stars
This HeartStart OnSite Defibrillator by PHILIPS is the safest, most effective AED on the market today. That is why the FDA has given PHILIPS the clearance to sell this AED for home use without a medical script. This device is basically dummy proof. It will walk a rescuer thru every step of the rescue process including step by step instructions on how to perform CPR if necessary. Less than 5% of people who suffer Sudden Cardiac Arrest outside of a hospital survive. Why? Because they are not defibrillated soon enough. For every minute that passes in SCA without defibrillation your chances of survival decrease by 7 to 10%. Research statistics state you can increase the chance of surviving SCA by up to 80% if you are defibrillated within the first few minutes (the most crucial time) Modern science and technology has made this device safe and easy to use. The American Heart Association offers a course called the "HeartSaver AED" the class is 3hrs, and teaches you adult CPR and how to operate an AED. The skills you learn in the HeartSaver class are incredible, and I highly recommend this class whether you purchase the OnSite AED or not. Defibrillation is the most crucial link in the Chain of Survival. But if you are in the market for an AED, this PHILIPS OnSite is the best. Having this life saving device at our fingertips is recommended by all fire and rescue thru out the world, also OSHA, federal and local government, AHA, RedCross and more!! If you are a business, or condo bulding, homeowners assc, boat owner, restaraunt, healthclub, school, you should also look into purchasing an AED and having your staff trained in the AHA HearSaver class! Sudden Cardiac Arrest has no age restrictions...young or old, ...the only and definitive treatment for Sudden Cardiac Arrest is to deliver a shock to the heart! Do your homework and you will find out why the PHILIPS AEDs are used by the
White House Medical Unit, AAF, FBI,FAA, CIA, and the FDA and
more! Safe, reliable, and the most user friendly AED on the market!!