Top 6 Best Automated External Defibrillator For Home Use (AED)

Did you know that around 70% of heart attacks occur in the home? For heart attacks that occur outside of a hospital, only a small percentage survive.

Each minute without treatment decreases survival rates. Those statistics were scary and unacceptable to me. In addition to always calling 911 right away, I knew I had to learn how to administer appropriate treatment immediately.

After taking a CPR class and using how to use an automated defibrillator, I realized that buying one for my house made a lot of sense. After all, with certain kind of heart attacks, using an AED as soon as possible can save a life and I can’t bear the thought of losing someone I love.

This post is not intended to be medical advice. Rather, it is a guide and review of some of the best available automated defibrillators for home use, based on my personal research.

Although most AEDs are designed to be easy to use even for those without training, it is imperative that you consult with a professional and receive proper training on how to use an AED.

Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator – Helpful Training Mode

Functionally identical to the popular Philips HeartStart OnSite AED that is used by many businesses, schools, and churches, this defibrillator is designed to be easy to use.

It provides the user with very clear step-by-step voice instructions. The smart sensors help make sure that the device is personalized to work correctly with the right amount of shock for every man, woman, or child.

There are also written instructions and diagrams to help walk the user through the process visually.

One of the most valuable features of this AED is the training mode with 8 emergency scenarios.

In addition to being properly trained and watching the included training DVD, trying out the training mode is a good way to be as prepared as possible.

The training mode lets you practice using the device in a safe way while thinking through some possible scenarios.

To ensure that you never risk a dead battery during an emergency situation, this model does regular self-checks to assess battery life. This AED is stored in a bold red case, making it easy to find and grab in case of emergency.

First Voice Physio-Control Lifepak CR-Plus – Makes Lifesaving Simple

Many AEDs strive to make operation as simple as possible. Physio-Control is certainly trying to lead in that regard.

This AED offers simplicity in every way, from owning it to using it to maintaining it. At the heart of it, they are trying to make saving a life as simple as possible.

After all, an emergency is often stressful and chaotic so bringing simplicity into the arena is much needed.

This unit comes with an orientation video to serve as a training refresher and a guide to the particular features of this model. There are also clear voice and visual prompts for how to use it.

Physio-Control claims (Check Brochure here)that this unit offers the lowest total cost of ownership in the automated defibrillators industry, thanks to an extra long-life battery and the inclusion of several extras.

These include a battery charger, extra electrodes, and a Rescue Ready Kit.

This kit includes gauze, a razor, scissors, CPR Mask, and rubber gloves. You also get an Administrator Tool Kit, window decals, a wall sign, an alarmed cabinet, and one year of AEDSafetrack.

Since many EMS teams use Lifepak products, this AED also makes for a simple transition when help arrives. In the US, Lifepak AEDs technically require a prescription but a physician’s prescription is included with purchase.

Zoll AED Plus – Physician Approved

Doctors have been using Zoll products, including defibrillators for years. If it’s trusted in the ER or the ICU, it can be trusted in the home as well.

This compact unit is bright neon yellow/green, making it easy to spot and quickly grab when you need it. Voice prompts plus visual feedback guide you through every step of using the automated defibrillator and can walk you through CPR as well. .

This makes sure that the CPR is actually effective. In addition to guiding you through using the defibrillator, this unit stands out for having one-size-fits-all pads.

You receive a carrying case and a sleeve of batteries with this unit.

Rescue Ready Pack By Cardiac Life – An Affordable First Aid Solution

Not every cardiac event calls for an Automated external defibrillator. This kit makes sure you are ready to rescue a victim whether or not an AED is called for.

This all-in-one kit prepares you for using an AED but also for doing CPR, depending on the unique needs of the situation.

All fitting within one compact and lightweight carrying case, you get the defibrillator, an Adult Pad-Pak, and a Ready Rescue Kit that includes things like a CPR mask, gloves, and a razor.

The most important part of this product is that it serves as a coach to walk you through the emergency. It will guide you through the testing process to see if the rhythm is shockable.

After that, it will either guide you defibrillation or guide you through traditional CPR. There is also an instructional DVD to help train you for how to use the product.

At only 350P, this is technically a semi-automatic defibrillator. One benefit of a semi-automatic defibrillator is that it gives the user more control over when the shock is delivered.

It is suitable for use on adults and children 8 years old and older. One unique feature is that the electrode pads are single-use only.

Both the battery and electrodes are part of a single-use cartridge. This makes it easy to only replace just one thing, rather than replacing the different components on different time schedules. You’ll just need to buy a new cartridge after using the device.

The Pad-Pak cartridge should last around 4 years and does emit an audible beep when it needs to be replaced. For children under 8 or those who weigh less than 55 lbs, there is a Pediatric Pad-Pak available for purchase separately.

PowerHeart G5 by Cardiac Science – Making Maintenance Easy

Owning an AED is one thing but taking care of it to ensure that it works is something else altogether. Maintenance is an important part of owning an automated external defibrillator, including making sure the batteries are working and replacing electrode pads when they expire.

Cardiac Life makes that as easy as possible by offering a variety of self-check options. You can set the unit to a run a self-check daily, weekly, or monthly.

If the self-check discovered any concerns, the unit will alert you so that you can replace the necessary components.

Having an AED in your home provides peace of mind but being confident that it is in good working order at all times provides even more comfort.

That you don’t have to remember to continually check it yourself offers convenience. In addition to making maintenance easy, this unit also walks you through the process of using it with CPR coaching.

This AED has a 7-year warranty and a 4-year battery replacement guarantee. This comes with a Carry Case, a Rescue Ready Kit, AED Signage and Inspection Tag, and alarmed Activar Cabinet.

Cabinet SEMI & 9131 Kit – A Complete Semi-Automatic Set

Functionally identical to the popular Philips HeartStart OnSite automated defibrillator that is used by many businesses, schools, and churches, this defibrillator is designed to be easy to use.

It provides the user with very clear step-by-step voice instructions. The smart sensors help make sure that the device is personalized to work correctly with the right amount of shock for every man, woman, or child.

There are also written instructions and diagrams to help walk the user through the process visually.

For someone who can handle pressure, a semi is a perfectly fine choice.

This semi-automatic unit comes with everything you need and more. This includes a carry case, an alarmed cabinet, a sign package, and a ready rescue kit that includes essentials like a CPR mask and gloves.

You also receive a physician’s prescription, so as to meet FDA guidelines. This is yet another unit that is easy to use, as it features clear RescueCoach voice instructions as well as both text and visual prompts.

The unit also performs regular self-checks to ensure that it is working properly, alerting you promptly when it is not. Typically, the battery should last for around 4 years and the electrode pads for around 2 years.

Buyer’s Guide & Frequently Asked Questions

An AED is a medical device and this post is not intended to be a complete guide or medical advice in any way. The above product comparison and the FAQs below are intended to help you purchase an automated defibrillator but it is your responsibility to be properly trained on how to use it.

How does an automated defibrillator work?

An automated external defibrillator includes a small computer or processor that analyzes a heart’s rhythm.

Electrodes send the signal to the computer which then determines if the rhythm is shockable. When the rhythm is shockable, the device sends an electric current to the heart through the chest wall via the adhesive electrode pads.

The electric shock interrupts the heart’s erratic rhythm which can potentially help it return to normal. Not every heart rhythm is shockable and not every heart attack calls for use of an AED.

One really nice feature of most AEDs is that they test the heart rhythm and will only shock a heart that needs it. For cardiac events that don’t have shockable rhythms, CPR is likely the best first aid choice while you wait for help to arrive.

Where can I learn how to properly use an AED?

A CPR course is probably the best way to learn how to properly use an AED. That said, AEDs are designed for even the untrained to be able to use successfully.

The device itself walks you through the process with both voice prompts and visual cues. If you plan to own an AED for home use, though, it is your responsibility to receive proper training on how to use it.

In addition to being fully trained, you can also consider purchasing an AED trainer for more practice experience.

Find a CPR training center near you (American Heart Association):
https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/CPR_UCM_001118_SubHomePage.jsp

Where to place the pads?

Proper placement of the pads on the chest is very important. Often, there will be some instructions and a diagram on the pads themselves for where to place the pads on the body.

There will also generally be voice prompts. You will need to remove jewelry and underwire bras and you may need to shave or at least trim chest hair before placing the pads.

One pad should be placed on the right center of the chest, above the nipple. The other pad should be placed slightly below the other nipple and to the left of the ribcage. For children, the placement may be slightly different. Children also should only be shocked with child-sized pads.

There are also special circumstances where you might change the placement of the pads, like when there is an implanted medical device or a piercing.

In these cases, you’ll want to place the pads in the same general area but 1 inch away from the implanted devices or piercings.

When should it be used?

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, an AED should be used when a person is suffering a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) that is caused by either ventricular fibrillation (v-fib) or ventricular tachycardia.

For it to be successful, it’s important that the AED is used within minutes of the SCA’s onset.

As the average person is unlikely to be able to recognize the type of cardiac arrest a person may be suffering from, it’s important to first use the automated defibrillator to check the rhythm before letting it defibrillate.

If the rhythm is shockable (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia), the AED will move forward with the shock. When the AED detects that the rhythm is not shockable, it will usually advise you to perform CPR while you wait for help to arrive.

When NOT to use an AED?

There are a number of situations when using an AED is a very bad idea.

You should never use a defibrillator when the victim is lying in water or when the chest is wet, including from sweat.

An Automated defibrillator creates an electric shock and you could inadvertently electrocute the victim. Avoiding combustible materials like oxygen is also very important.

You can still use an AED if the victim has a medication patch or a pacemaker, but it is very important that you not place the AED pads directly on those areas.

Unless you have been specifically trained on how to use an AED with an infant, you should never use it on a child 12 months of age or younger.

It’s important to only use an AED when the victim’s rhythm is shockable. The AED will be able to tell you whether or not this is the case.

Sometimes, however, the AED won’t be able to get an accurate reading. If the AED is unable to accurately tell you whether or not the heart rhythm is shockable, you should never use the AED.

This is why you shouldn’t try to use an AED in a moving vehicle. It’s also important not to use adult-sized pads on a child, as this can result in an inaccurate reading.

Even excessive body hair can result in an inaccurate reading. Shocking a heart that doesn’t have a shockable rhythm could be fatal.

Since most AEDs will only work when a shockable rhythm is detected, it’s unlikely for this to happen. This is why it is very important to make sure the conditions are conducive to getting an accurate reading.

Should I buy a trainer as well?

An AED trainer is certainly not a bad idea, especially if you’re anxious about potentially having to use the device. A trainer will let you practice on a mannequin so you can have some hands-on experience for what using an AED is like.

How long do they last and when to service or replace the battery?

Home Automated Defibrillators aren’t designed to last forever. Specifically, the electrode pads often need to be replaced every 18-24 months, though this varies depending on the brand and the model.

The batteries, naturally, will also need to be replaced periodically. Many of the batteries will last around 4 years. Depending on the model, a low battery may give you some warning indications like a beep or status light.

It’s extremely important to check the battery regularly and replace it right away when necessary. A dead battery means the AED will not be functional. The point of owning an AED is being prepared for an emergency in your house and without working batteries, you won’t be ready.

Conclusion

Most homes already have a first-aid kit but many people are starting to add an AED to be prepared for anything. When someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, fast response is usually what makes all the difference.

Having an AED in your home – plus being properly trained in its usage and committing to its upkeep and maintenance – can provide peace of mind.

After all, nearly 70% of sudden cardiac arrests happen in the home. You can’t always prevent emergencies but you can be prepared for them.

Have you ever used an AED or seen one be used? Are you thinking of purchasing one? Which model are you considering? Let me know in the comments! If you think that more people should buy AEDs for home use, consider sharing this post.