The AED Superstore Weblog

ZOLL announces new and improved "CPR-D" electrode pads

     ZOLL's unique single-piece electrode pads keep getting better and better! Known as their CPR-D padz, they were the first one-piece AED electrode system and came with an unprecedented 4-year shelf life and supported the ZOLL AED Plus' CPR feedback feature.

     Earlier this year ZOLL announced an extended shelf-life of 5-years for their CPR-D padz.

     Today, they proudly announce other key improvements like:

     Lower Profile CPR Sensor
     The new low profile shape of the CPR sensor lends itself to better contour to the victim's chest resulting in a more even distribution of force and pressure.

     And...

     Added Convenience
     The low profile CPR sensor takes up less space and reduces bulk; therefore storage beneath the lid is now more convenient. 

     Added Comfort
     We've added extra foam layers and embedded the CPR sensor in the foam for optimal comfort to the rescuer's hand while performing CPR. 

     Added Safety
     The cable on the CPR-D padz is now 43 inches (1.1 meter) long.  The extra 6 inches leaves more room for maneuverability and greater distance between victim and AED.

     Added Ruggedness - A new protective handgrip is now located on the connector; it serves as both a protective layer for the wires and provides a convenient easy grip for the user to connect and disconnect the pad from the AED.

     The AED Superstore ships all ZOLL AED Plus and select AED PRO devices complete with these new and improved CPR-D padz!

Philips announces deadline for G2005 AED updates

     In late November 2005 the American Heart Association announced changes to the "rules" of CPR. The new way to perform CPR became known as "Guidelines 2005." The new guidelines should have prompted all AED owners to upgrade their machines to conform to the new guidelines.

     Since the new ruling went into effect 2 years ago, Philips has announced a deadline for upgrade availability for their Heartstart line of automated external defibrillators. Owners of these devices have until December 31, 2007 to place their upgrade order with Philips Medical Systems.

     To get more information on the upgrade process, or to get yours now, click here to visit AEDUpgrades.com...a service of the AED Superstore!

Preventing cardiac arrest in kids

     We discussed the rarity "myth" of pediatric cardiac arrest in a recent post, but now we learn that there's perhaps a preventative measure. Simply screening kids for heart problems before they engage in athletic activities might be all it takes.

     Parents and school officials will want to read this article.

Meet Dr. Bernard Lown...inventor of the defibrillator

     Ask any doctor or paramedic who has been around awhile about what it was like to use an early model defibrillator and you'll hear about how big and heavy they used to be. AEDs weren't even on the radar back then.

     The very first external defibrillator was developed by Dr. Bernard Lown in the 1960's after reading a paper written by Dr. Paul Zoll. (The ZOLL name should be familiar to our readers by now!) It weighed over 60 lbs and was anything but portable. But it was the first major step in changing the way sudden cardiac arrest and other heart arrhythmias were treated and the technology applies today to AEDs.

     The portable defibrillators you'll find at the AED Superstore weigh less than 60 lbs...we promise!

Should kids be taught CPR at a young age?

Yes!

American Academy of Pediatrics says heart problems in kids have been underestimated

     For years the common knowledge about pediatric cardiac arrest centered around the following facts: it's usually brought on by respiratory arrest, and, it's rare.

     The American Academy of Pediatrics believes the problem is not as uncommon as we first thought. You'll find the article here. It could change perception of pediatric cardiac arrest as we know it.

Fake CPR cards racket busted

     We just never knew there was such an "industry!"

     A recent study from Australia shows that victims of sudden cardiac arrest are 3.6 times more likely to survive if they receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a bystander.

     Read the news here.

Water and dust ingress ratings of AEDs explained

     Every AED has a water and dust ingress rating which classifies the level of protection that electrical appliances (like AEDs) provide against the intrusion of solid objects or dust, accidental contact, and water. The rating has NOTHING to do with how well a particular device can withstand a drop or shock. It is expressed as an "IP Code" which you'll usually see in an AED's sales brochure. The code is expressed as IPXX with "X" being the rating numbers.

     The IP Code stands for "International Protection Rating" or "Ingress Protection Rating.

     The first numerical digit indicates the level of protection against solid particles such as dust or other matter.

Number          Effective Against

0                     No protection against contact and ingress of objects

1                    Any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand, but no protection against   deliberate contact with a body part

2                    Fingers or similar objects

3                    Tools, thick wires, etc.

4                    Most wires, screws, etc.

5                    Dust protected--Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact

6                   Dust tight--No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact

    The second numerical digit indicates the level of protection from harmful ingress of water.

Number       Effective Against

0                  Not protected

1                  Dripping water

2                  Dripping water when tilted up to 15 degrees

3                  Spraying water

4                  Splashing water

5                  Water jets

6                  Powerful water jets

7                  Immersion up to 1 meter

8                  Immersion beyond 1 meter

     The higher each of the numbers in an AED's IP rating, the more protected it is.

     Use this scale as a tool as you shop for AEDs. You won't need to buy an AED with a high rating if it's going to be deployed in an office or school setting. Buy an AED with a higher IP rating if it's to be deployed in a harsh environment with dust and moisture present.

     Yesterday we posted news about a new CPR manikin available at the AED Superstore called CasPeR the CPR dog.

     Now we find that a technique exists to perform CPR on birds. We're not sure of the accreditation, but it does make sense.

     Perhaps a manikin for Avian CPR and rescue breathing is around the corner?