The AED Superstore Weblog

Rechargeable vs. Non-rechargeable Battery

     You are starting an AED Program, and you have many questions, one of which is, "wouldn't it be more practical to have a rechargeable battery in my AED?"  Great question!  Let's see if we can clear up some of the misconceptions about having a rechargeable battery instead of a long-life lithium non-rechargeable battery.

     The non-rechargeable lithium batteries generally have a useful life of about 4 - 5 years in standby mode.  "Standby mode" is when the AED is rescue ready and the only drain on the battery is from the AED performing its daily, weekly, or monthly self test.  They're also low maintenance (or no maintenance) when compared to rechargeable batteries.  You place the battery in the AED and it's ready for service for the next several years.

     Rechargeable batteries need to be recharged often, monthly in most cases, which leads to a shorter life span for the battery.  Replacement every 2 years is not uncommon.  Charging time for the various models can be anywhere from 2 hours to 15 hours (depending on which AED you have), and while the battery is charging it is not in the AED.  Unless you have multiple batteries, this means your AED is not in service.

    Cost is nearly identical, again depending on which AED you are considering, until you add in the cost of the charging station required for the rechargeable battery.  And you may want to consider having more than one rechargeable battery, with one charging, one in service.

     The rechargeable battery is more often found in the realm of the professional rescuer, where the AED is in a high usage environment, and recharging is more practical than regularly replacing a non-rechargeable battery, perhaps on a monthly basis.  Professionals also possess the diligence to ensure the batteries are being recharged regularly.  How many times have you picked up your digital camera with the rechargeable batteries, only to find the batteries have drained?

     So, when choosing a battery, please consider the environment in which your AED will be deployed.  Take into account the various factors involved in maintaining your AED.  High usage means high maintenance.  Low usage, low maintenance.  It's your decision.  Can you choose wisely, grasshopper?

    

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!

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!

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.