Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator (AED)
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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 |
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Product Reviews of Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator (AED)
Product Review: Let the Buyer Beware!
Summary: 4 Stars
While Philips makes an excellent AED device[...]. The repeated assertions and/or implications that training, preparation and ongoing support aren't needed to utilize an AED are not only erroneous, they are a gross disservice to the public. They are also contrary to the history of providing Initial Emergency Care and Life Support as well as to the science of Emergency Medicine.
AEDs don't save lives...AED programs that are part of the fabric of a community EMS System do! Moreover, without an emergency mindset (i.e., the courage and confidence to act) most people simply don't and won't respond to a potential sudden death situation, regardless of how easy an AED device is to operate. Despite the simplicity and documented success of AEDs, this needed "mindset" does not come in the box with the new unit.
It must also be noted that not all cardiac arrests are caused by the electric malfunction ("ventricular fibrillation") that requires defibrillation. The victim of sudden death may also need CPR and ultimately, will always need the care of EMS professionals and transport to an appropriate medical facility.
The idea that people should buy an AED "just to have one" is a step in the wrong direction. It may well produce a false sense of security for buyers as well as hinder the growth of the AED movement and the effectiveness of community EMS Systems. Indeed, the protection "for hearts and brains too good to die" offered by AEDs should be available everywhere. But having an AED without people who are properly prepared and supported runs the very real risk of not giving the victims of sudden death with the 2nd chance at life that a properly utilized AED can help provide.
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Product Review: Lifesaving Devices
Summary: 5 Stars
Sudden heart stoppage is a common cause of death. CPR and defibrillation are techniques that can start the heart again and give the patient time to get needed help at a hospital. This unit is an external defibrillator that can start the heart with the help of another trained person who is available immediately within a few minutes to intervene and start the heart again. All persons should see their doctor to have the risk evaluated. In addition to the the external defibrillator there are also implanted defibrillators available. Only a medical professional can advise you what is best. There is a definite advantage to the implanted defibrillators in that they act automatically without the immediate intervention of another person.Product Review: Misleading reviews
Summary: 4 Stars
This is an easy-to-use, affordable model from a trusted name. Of the three models I've trained with, I much prefer this one. On the effectiveness of CPR/defibrillation: Many people have used this review forum as a means to "diss" CPR and defibrillators. None of these reviewers has offered any medical credentials to back up their statements. As a medical school student for whom AHA CPR/defibrillation training was required (and not someone who receives my medical education from TV drama), I have discussed the topic with many physicians, nurses, and basic scientists. I feel I must respond despite the fact that it's not entirely appropriate to do so in a review. While CPR alone does have a seemingly low overall success rate, it is quite successful in a variety of situations and should be employed as appropriate. CPR with defibrillation has a rather impressive success rate among adults who suffer SCA. It's probably true that not everyone needs to take a CPR/defibrillator course, but it's misleading and irresponsible to say that CPR and defibrillators are "useless." It's also misleading and irresponsible to say that only professionals can use defibrillators. The home use models are designed and FDA-approved to be safe in the hands of almost anyone, although if you expect that you will need to use one, you should probably take a course. What is dangerous in the hands of non-professionals is "a little information." Statistics require the knowledge and experience to interpret them, and not everything you read in a journal article is gospel.Product Review: More Direct to Consumer Profit Taking
Summary: 1 Stars
This is another attempt by medical companies to profit making from consumers. There is not much data for the use of defibrillators at home. As an Emergency Physician I would advocate against the use of this at home, however their use in public areas is appropriate.Product Review: Most businesses have these, now......they save lives!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a fabulous product, as I can speak from experience. It is very user-friendly. It works. CPR is only PART of what saves a heart attack victim....one of the main reasons for calling 911 is so there can be follow-through with defibrillation, if necessary. The machine lets you know if the patient needs defibrillated. If a heart attack victim does need defibrillated, CPR is not enough. Without defibrillation, the patient will remain dead. This product saves any wait time for the ambulance, saving precious minutes, and lives! As for those others that commented about not being able to use it on yourselves....take a basic CPR class before you judge.......You should never be able to defibrillate yourself, because those that DO need it are unconscious. Even people who take care of themselves by living a healthy lifestyle, can still have heart attacks.......the first guru of running died of one. It would be nice if the product could be cheaper, so that all households could afford the device. I have noticed, however, that no matter how poor some people are, they still can afford to have big TVs and computers. This product could save the life of someone you care about, even though you cannot use it on yourself!