Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator (AED)
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List Price: Our Price: $1,275.00 You Save: $720.00 (36%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Product Reviews of Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator (AED)
Product Review: It only has to save a life once
Summary: 3 Stars
Here's my disclaimer: I am NOT a physician, physiologist, or EMT. Nor have I ever even used this particular device.
Here is what I AM: Someone who has witnessed a similar device save the life of a dear friend and colleague.
I know that this type of device can save lives in some situations because I saw it happen! Some folks have posted reviews which cite some grim survival rates. However, these statistics appear to be based upon some very broad ranges of incidents - ie. they don't break down the survival rate by HOW SOON the defibrillator was applied to the victim. I have been told that the survival rate is highly dependent on how quickly the heartbeat is restored. I.e. if the heartbeat is in V-Fib for only two or three minutes, the survival rate is much higher than the cited grim statistics.
In our case, we were attending an event at a hotel in Laughlin, Nevada when a friend dropped down like an anchor in the middle of a sentence from a Ventricular Fibrillation. One of our other friends was a CPR instructor and he immediately recongnized the need for CPR and began administering it. The hotel security was called and told of the dire emergency and they very quickly responded by sending one of their security personnel with an automatic defibrillator. He ripped the shirt off our friend's chest and placed the electrodes in the positions indicated. The device he used was talking him through everything. It told us to stand back while it tested the heart rhythm and then quickly advised us to not touch the victim because a shock would be administered. After the shock happened, it re-analyzed the heart rhythm and advised us that the heartbeat had been restored. Many minutes later the local EMT's arrived with their even more sophisticated equipment. Our friend was quickly taken off to the hospital.
There is NO doubt that the prompt use of the automatic defibrillator saved his life. He was elderly and had preexisting heart problems and he still does - FOUR YEARS LATER. We love every christmas card we get!
Well, no one can guarantee any particular outcome, but, if time is precious (and it IS when someone is in V-Fib), having an automatic defibrillator close at hand can literally be a life-saver.
I agree with the others that a person should also improve their odds with reasonable training on these issues, as well.
To hell with the callous critics.
PS Laughlin, Nevada was a test bed for the use of automatic defibrillators. It was nothing but luck on our part to be in a hotel where they had one. We credit good planning by the hotel folks and the automated defibrillator with saving a life.
PPS. How do you thing the security guard felt after he fully realized that he had saved a life??
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: 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.
Product Review: Great Item But Should Only Be Used By Professional
Summary: 5 Stars
A defibrillator is a great tool, in the hands of a professional. This nto somethgin that should be lying around every home "Just waiting to be used".
Learn the indicators for a heart attack and get rapid access to your EMS system and Emergency Room Doctors.
Product Review: I'm Trained And Prepared
Summary: 5 Stars
I was totally ignorant about human physiology until I took the "HeartSaver AED" class. Now I know to operate an AED and I understand CPR. I was amazed when I read that HeartStart is the first heart defibrillator available for home use without a prescription. I want to be prepared for sudden cardiac arrest, since heart disease runs in my wife's family. Hopefully if I ever do have to call 911 and she has to wait for an ambulance to arrive, I can increase her chances of survival.