AED Buying Guide
Cardiac Science
Powerheart G3 Plus
Cardiac Science
Powerheart G3 Pro
Defibtech LifeLine
AED
Semi Auto & Fully Auto
Semi Auto & Manual
Semi Auto
Voice & Text
Voice & Text
Voice & LED
Defibtech LifeLine
View AED
Heartsine Samaritan
PAD 300P
Philips Heartstart
OnSite AED
Philips Heartstart
FRx AED
Physio-Control
LifePak Express
Physio-Control
LifePak CR Plus
Semi Auto
Semi Auto
Semi Auto
Voice & Video
Voice & LED
Voice
Semi Auto
Semi Auto
Semi Auto & Fully Auto
Voice
Voice & LED
Voice & LED
Physio-Control
LifePak 1000
ZOLL AED Plus
ZOLL AED Pro
Semi Auto
Semi Auto
Semi Auto & Manual
Voice & Text
Voice, Text & LED
Voice & Text
Real Help CPR
Real Help CPR
Yes
Yes
Ease of Use
Available Modes
Rescue Prompt Type
CPR Help
Pre-Connected Pads
Enhanced Pad Placement Prompts
Trainer Options
Rescue Coach
On Demand Metronome
Timer
Video Coach
Metronome
Timer
On Demand / Coach
Timer
Timer
On Demand
Metronome
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Separate Unit
Separate Unit
Conversion Kit or
Separate Unit
N/A
Separate Unit
Conversion Kit or
Separate Unit
Conversion Kit or
Separate Unit
Separate Unit
Separate Unit
Separate Unit
Separate Unit
N/A
Full Energy, Variable,
Escalating 105J-360J
Full Energy, Variable,
Escalating 105J-360J
Low Energy 150J Fixed
Low Energy 150J Fixed
Low Energy, Escalating
120J-200J
Low Energy 150J Fixed
Low Energy 150J Fixed
Full Energy, Escalating
200J-360J
Weekly:
Daily, Weekly and
Monthly: Battery,
Circuitry, Waveform,
Pads (presence &
function)
Daily: Battery, Circuitry,
Waveform, Pads
(presence & function)
AED Technology
Energy Type & Range (all biphasic)
Self-Testing Ability & Frequency
Self Test Status Indicators
Pediatric Capability
Internal Memory Capacity
IP Rating
Daily, Weekly & Monthly: Daily, Weekly & Monthly:
Battery, Circuitry,
Battery, Circuitry,
Charge & Discharge
Charge & Discharge
Circuitry, Software, Pads Circuitry, Software, Pads
(Presence & Function)
(Presence & Function)
Daily: Circuitry & Pad
Presence
Daily: Circuitry & Pad
Presence
Weekly:
Full Energy, Escalating Full Energy, Escalating Low Energy, Escalating Low Energy, Escalating
200J-360J
200J-360J
120J-200J
120J-200J
Weekly:
Daily & Monthly:
Daily: Battery, Pad
Weekly: Battery, Pad
presence, Circuitry,
presence, Circuitry,
Charge & Discharge
Charge & Discharge
Circuitry,
Circuitry,
Microprocessor
Microprocessor
Hardware/Software,
Hardware/Software,
CPR Circuitry & Sensor,
CPR Circuitry & Sensor
Audio & Display
Visual & Audible
Visual & Audible
Visual & Audible
Visual & Audible
Visual & Audible
Visual & Audible
Visual & Audible
Visible
Visible
Visible
Visible
Visible
Pediatric Pads
Pediatric Pads
Pediatric Pads
Pediatric Pads
Pediatric Pad-Pak
Pediatric Pads
Infant/Child Key
Pediatric Pads
Pediatric Pads
Pediatric Pads
Pediatric Pads
Pediatric Pads
Up to 12 hours with
optional data card
Up to 30 hours with
optional data card, 60
minutes without
1 Event, 90 Mins ECG
1 Event, 15 Mins ECG
1 Event, 15 Mins ECG
2 Events, 20 Mins ECG
Multiple Events, 60 Mins Multiple Events, 60 Mins
ECG
ECG
2 Events, 20 Mins ECG 2 Events, 40 Mins ECG
20 Mins with Audio or
20 Mins ECG with
up to 7 Hours w/o
Audio or 5.8 Hours w/o
Audio
Audio
IP24
IP24
IP54
IP55
IP56
IP21
IP55
IPX4
IPX4
IP55
IP55
IP55
3.3" x 12.4" x 10.6"
6.6lbs
3.3" x 12.4" x 10.6"
6.6lbs
8.5" x 11.8" x 2.7",
4.2lbs
7.3" x 9.5" x 2.3"
<3lbs
8.0" x 7.25" x 1.9",
2.4lbs
2.8˝ x 7.4˝ x 8.3˝
3.3lbs
2.4˝ x 7.1˝ x 8.9˝
3.5lbs
4.2" x 8.0" x 9.5"
4.5lbs
4.2" x 8.0" x 9.5"
4.5lbs
3.4" x 9.2" x 10.9"
7.1lbs
5.25"x 9.50" x 11.50"
6.7lbs
3" x 9.2" x 9.4"
<6.5lbs
Manufacturer Advertised Price
$1,595
$2,550
$1,245
$1,995
$1,295
$1,199.00
$1,559
$1,295
$1,695
$2,395.00
$1,699.00
$2,895.00
Estimated Annual Operating Cost* (without use)
$127.45
$389.95
$67.80
$101.25
$72.50
$99.25
$88.25
$53.50
$53.50
$143.67
$48.80
N/A
$40
$40
$38
$59
$145
$61.00
$50
$88* (includes
chargepak)
$88* (includes
chargepak)
$42
$169
$59
Software & Cable
(Included)
Software & Cable
(Included)
Data Card ($79)
Data Card ($79)
Software & USB Cable
($50)
Software (free
download) & USB Cable
($134)
Software (free
download) & USB Cable
($134)
AED=7yr Battery=4yr
AED=7yr Battery=1yr
AED=5yr Battery=5yr
AED=5yr Battery=4yr
AED=10yr
AED=5yr Battery=4yr
AED=5yr Battery=4yr
AED=5yr
AED=8yr
AED=5yr
AED=5yr (7yrs if
registered online)
AED=5yr (7yrs if
registered online)
4-5 Years Typical
1 Year
5 Years
4 Years
4 Years Typical
4 Years
4 Years
2 Years Typical
2 Years Typical
425 Shocks (2-3 Years)
5 Years Typical
N/A
2 Years
2 Years
2 Years
2 Years
4 Years
2 Years
2 Years
2 Years
2 Years
2 Years
5 Years
5 Years
Size & Weight (without case)
Price & Cost of Ownership
Spare Electrodes (Adult)
Event Download Equipment
Software (free
Software (free
Software ($299) & USB Software ($299) & USB Software ($299) & USB
download) & USB cable download) & USB cable
Cable ($115)
Cable ($115)
Cable ($115)
$105
$105
Maintenance & Life Expectancy
AED & Battery Warranty
Battery Lifespan
Electrode Pad Lifespan
*Derived by dividing Pad (2 sets) & Battery cost by lifespan
Copyright 2011 AEDpeople.comAll information contained herein represents a best effort. Please refer to manufacturer materials for further details.
AE
ED Bu
uying G
Guide
e
AED
Dpeople.com
m is pleased to
t offer AED
Ds from each
h of today’s lleading man
nufacturers. A
At AEDpeop
ple.com we
desirre to provide
e educationa
al guidance for
f informed decisions. Let’s face it - buying an AED is a da
aunting task,
not tto mention an
a investmen
nt you are de
epending on to save a liffe. You want to be 100%
% certain tha
at you made
the rright decision
n…this is no
ot the time fo
or buyer’s remorse!
More
e than likely,, you’ll want to do some research (w
which is prob
bably why yo
ou are here iin the first place) before
purcchasing the first
f
AED you
u come acro
oss. Our goa
al is to be a rresource for you in that p
process...fro
om start to
finish
h.
Read
dy to get sta
arted? Here are some things you sho
ould know fi rst about AL
LL AEDs.





All AEDs
s are FDA approved
a
an
nd operate according
a
tto the Amerrican Heart Association
n’s most
recent guidelines - While there has been no supporting rresearch to in
ndicate that o
one brand sa
aves more
lives than
n another, the
ere are many
y features and benefits to
o consider wh
hen purchasing an AED.
All AEDs
s are safe an
nd easy to use - One of the
t first thing
gs we alwayss tell our custtomers: You CANNOT
hurt yours
self or anyon
ne else with an
a AED. AED
Ds will ONLY
Y deliver thera
apy to a patie
ent if it determines it is
necessarry. You cann
not override itt…even if you push the s hock button. All AEDs tod
day are simp
ple enough to
o
operate th
hat even com
mpletely untra
ained individuals can use
e them.
All AEDs
s are effectiive - Biphasic Waveform
m Shock The
erapy was in
ntroduced to AEDs in Se
eptember of
1996. Sin
nce then, the
e effectivene
ess of Biphasic Waveforrm has been
n widely reco
ognized and accepted.
Today, ALL
A AEDs manufactured
d utilize Biphasic Wavefo
orm Technollogy. This re
esults in mucch higher
first shoc
ck conversion rates.
AED Maintenance & Warranty - All AEDs perform
p
a da
aily, weekly o
or monthly sself test and have status
s for status notification.
n
All AEDs tod
day offer a m
minimum 5 yyear warrantty.
indicators
Cost of Ownership
O
e a Cost of O
Ownership d
determined b
by the lifespa
an of the
& Price - Alll AEDs have
electrode
e pads & battteries. All AEDs have de
ecreased in cost significcantly in rece
ent years du
ue to
technolog
gy advances
s and availability. Today
y, AEDs rang
ge in price frrom around $
$1,200 for h
home use
models to
o around $3
3,000 for proffessional gra
ade units.
Read
dy to review
w the details?
? We’ll coverr each sectio
on on our AE
ED Technic
cal SnapSho
ot next.
e of Use
Ease
1
1. Available Modes - Today
T
all Public Access Defibrillators
rs (PAD) are available in
n one of two different
S
Automa
atic or Fully Automatic. Simply
S
put, tthe differencce between the two is m
merely that
modes: Semi
the Semii Automatic AEDs
A
have a button to push
p
to delivver the shock, and the F
Fully Automa
atic AEDs do
o
not, as th
hey deliver th
he shock on
n their own. Don’t
D
worry tthough, Fullyy Automaticc AEDs are sstill safe
because they warn you
y ahead off time, initiatte a countdo
own and havve motion de
etection capa
abilities to
ore you are ready.
r
The reasoning
r
be
ehind Fully A
Automatic AE
EDs is that ssome
prevent a shock befo
studies have
h
shown people sometimes hesittate to push the shock b
button even a
after being in
nstructed to
do so by the AED. In
n a situation where every
y second cou
unts, a Fullyy Automatic A
AED reduce
es the
m
occur.
chance that any therrapy delay might
Copyright © 2011 AEDpeoople.com 2. Rescue Prompt Type - All AEDs use simple, easy to follow voice prompts to guide the user through a
rescue. Some AEDs also utilize LED indicators to confirm correct pad placement and guide the user.
Text displays and video displays are becoming more common as an additional tool to guide rescuers
and provide assistance to hearing impaired individuals and in loud environments.
3. CPR Help - All AEDs manufactured today are in compliance with the American Heart Association’s
most current guidelines in accordance with 2 minutes of CPR between defibrillation. Some AED models
offer a CPR coach to intuitively coach the rescuer through each step of CPR. Others utilize a
metronome to aid with an accurate compression rate.
4. Pre-Connected Pads - Some AEDs come with one set of electrode pads pre-connected to the AED to
ensure readiness.
5. Enhanced Pad Placement Prompts - Some AEDs “know” when the user has removed an electrode
from the backing and will instruct users specifically where to place the pad.
6. Trainer Options - Some AEDs have a “conversion kit” (trainer data card, trainer electrodes, or a
training battery pack) that allows you to “convert” your live AED into a trainer. Most manufacturers also
offer a “stand-alone” trainer as a separate unit.
AED Technology
1. Energy Type & Range - This is undoubtedly the most contested feature of AEDs today, and we
discuss it thoroughly under our “FAQ’s” section of the AED Expert Center on AEDpeople.com. Simply
put, some AEDs shock within “low energy” parameters (200J or less) while other AEDs “escalate”
energy levels (starting at 200J and escalating to 360J). The FDA and AHA have stated that both ways
are appropriate ways of defibrillating and that all AEDs are effective.
2. Self-Testing Ability & Frequency - All AEDs perform self tests on various components daily, weekly
or monthly. These self tests ensure that the AED is ready when you need it and alert you if a problem
arises.
3. Self-Test Status Indicators - All AEDs have some form of “status indicator” to alert the user to the
status of the AED. All models have a visual LED indicator or “OK” symbol, and some AEDs combine an
audible “chirp” in addition to the visual indicator.
4. Pediatric Capability - All AEDs manufactured today have pediatric capabilities (children 8yrs old or
less or 55lbs or less). Some units utilize special electrode pads while others use a “key” to initiate the
pediatric mode.
5. Internal Memory Capacity - All AEDs make some sort of internal record of rescue events and ECG
info that can be downloaded to a computer for review.
6. IP Rating - Stands for “Ingress Protection” and is a measurement of how resistant the AED is to foreign
object intrusion, such as dust and water. The first number is the “solid foreign object” rating and the
second number is the “liquid foreign object” rating. You can view the IP Rating Table in our AED Expert
Center for information on the rating scale.
7. Size and Weight - AEDs vary quite a bit in size and weight. This is something to consider if you are
going to be taking your AED on a backpacking trip!
Copyright © 2011 AEDpeople.com Price and Cost of Ownership
1. Manufacturer Advertised Price - This is the price that all AED resellers are required to advertise.
2. Estimated Annual Operating Cost - This is simply a way we help customers budget annually for their
AED. It is based on maintaining 2 sets of adult electrodes (recommended) and based on the AED not
being used. We divide the cost of the electrodes and battery by their lifespan. You will not incur these
costs annually - this just makes it easier to interpret.
3. Spare Electrode Cost - AEDpeople.com recommends that you ALWAYS have a spare set of adult
electrodes on hand with each AED. Many manufacturers also recommend this. Some AED models are
shipped with a spare set in addition to the pre-installed set.
4. Event Download Equipment - This is the equipment that you’ll need in the event that you use your
AED and want to download the patient data for review. You will also use this equipment in the event
that you need to update your AED to new AHA standards or install a software update to your AED.
Some manufacturers provide this equipment with the AED free of charge.
Maintenance and Life Expectancy
1. AED and Battery Warranty - All AEDs today come with a minimum 5 year warranty. Many customers
ask about the life expectancy of an AED. This is a difficult question to answer as many AEDs will
remain in-service well beyond their warranty period. However, we maintain that when considering the
effective lifespan of an AED or budgeting for replacement units that you use the manufacturer’s
warranty period as the estimated lifespan.
2. Battery Lifespan - We recommend using the manufacturer’s warranty period as the expected lifespan.
For batteries not having a warranty we have provided an average lifespan based upon our customer’s
experience.
3. Electrode Pad Lifespan - All AEDs have Electrode Pad expiration dates that are mandated and
determined by the FDA due to the tendency of the ionic gel surrounding the metal electrode plates to
dry out and corrode the plates. Traditionally, these have been set at 2 years, but recently some
manufacturers have been granted approval by the FDA for up to a 5 year lifespan.
----------------
Need more info? We understand! Feel free to ‘Live Chat’ with us for a quick question, or give us a call…we
love to discuss AEDs, and if for some reason we don’t know the answer to your question…we WILL find out!
www.AEDpeople.com
[email protected]
1-800-787-6980
Copyright © 2011 AEDpeople.com