When sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) strikes, it does so often without warning.  And the clock starts ticking. 

 

According to the American Heart Association (AHA) for every minute that passes the likelihood of successful resuscitation drops by about 10%.  After only five minutes, no more than 50% will recover.  At ten minutes… less than 1%!  Good CPR combined with an electric shock to the heart may be the best chance for survival. 

 

What would you do?

Consider this sobering fact - SCA kills an average of almost 1,000 people a day in the United States alone.¹ It often gives no warning and can happen to anyone at any time.

 

Sports coach, plant manager, high school nurse, you – most anybody can be thrust into an emergency situation at a moments notice.  You must be able to respond quickly and appropriately. 

 

Philips has developed the HeartStart family of manual and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) so that virtually anyone can treat the most common cause of SCA – ventricular fibrillation (VF).  This is smart technology. 

 

Simplicity by design

In addition to high-end manual units used by paramedics and hospital emergency personnel, Philips designs automated models for use by the layperson.  These ‘smart’ AEDs can shock the heart back to proper rhythm in three very easy steps. 

1. Turn the unit on
2. Place the pads on the chest
3. Deliver a shock (as directed by the AED)

 

Calm, clear voice instructions guide you through each step of the defibrillation process, even reminding you to call for emergency help.

 

Many lives could be saved if people can be reached more quickly.  Yet just as seat belts or airbags do not save every life in a traffic accident, a defibrillator will not save every person who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest.

 

HeartStart OnSite

Defibrillation should be performed within 5 minutes of SCA (caused by VF) for the best chance of survival. Yet typically emergency responders do not arrive that fast.  So the Philips HeartStart OnSite Defibrillator has been designed for use in public places such as schools, malls and fitness clubs, to be used by people who are on the scene.

 

It provides voice coaching for adult and infant/child CPR as well, with instructions and audio cues for each breath, including the appropriate number, rate and depth of chest compressions.

 

In addition, HeartStart OnSite can be used on infants and small children when equipped with specially designed infant/child pads, which reduce the amount of energy delivered by the defibrillator to a more appropriate level.

 

But what if you fall victim to sudden cardiac arrest at home?  Who will help?  The fact is almost 80% of all instances of SCA happen at home.²  

 

HeartStart Home

Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and home security systems are all considered essential safety equipment.  Yet more people die at home from sudden cardiac arrest than from house fires.^3,4  So including an AED on that list makes good sense.

 

Philips HeartStart Home is the first and only defibrillator available ‘over the counter’ without a prescription.  You can purchase it through online retailers or directly from Philips. It’s easy and reliable.

 

 

¹ American Heart Association, Statistical Fact Sheet - Miscellaneous 2007 Update, Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest — Statistics ©2007

² American Heart Association, Advocacy News, New Hampshire Teenage Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor Educates Congressional Staff about the Importance of CPR and AED Training 08/13/2007

³Department of Homeland Security/United States Fire Administration. National Fire Protection Association Fire Loss in the U.S During 2005. Emmitsburg, Maryland: USFA. 2005

⁴ American Heart Association. 2004 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update. Dallas, Texas: American Heart Association, 2003.

- January 2008

 

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