Zoll AED PlusTM

2 Responses to “Zoll AED PlusTM”

1. J. Bock says:

   May 21, 2010 at 7:17 pm

   a) PAD PLACEMENT-incorrect pad placement by 1st Responders-ZOLL made “one piece pads” eliminating incorrect pad placement and pads sticking to rescuer’s gloved hands. While teach AED use in one of my recent classes I noticed that many students place two piece pads in the incorrect place even through they were clearly marked (I guess they were nervous—caught up in the moment-perhaps not too different from a real life situation? ZOLL also rocked the industry by making the longest life pads-4 years;
   
   b) CPR COMPRESSIONS-disturbing confusion exhibited by just about all initially time 1st Responders that performed CPR (ribs separating from sternum)-ZOLL introduced “Compression Puck” that measures depth and rate of CPR compressions and provides verbal feedback and assurance that CPR is performed correctly;
   
   c) PATENT AIRWAY-patients suffocating after heart is revived by improper or no airway management by 1st Responders-ZOLL made the “PASS” (Passive Airway Support System) for their unit, which utilizes the unit’s cover to slide under the patient’s shoulder blades, thus making a patent airway;
   
   d) WATER RESISTANCE Although NO known accidents have occurred where a unit got wet and caused a fire to start or a rescuer to be injured or killed, it was an accident waiting to happen by the fact that NO AED manufacturer provided protection for rescuer’s by incorporating significant water resistance-ZOLL rather than wait for the inevitable and demonstrate the industry’s norm of willful ignorance integrated by far the most resistance AED to water;
   
   e) HEARING IMPAIRED-where an elderly self attempted to utilize an AED on a mate or fellow patient they were frequently hard of hearing and misunderstood the voice prompts-ZOLL integrated illuminated pictures for each part of the rescue that guide children, the hard of hearing and the elderly on proper use of their AED;
   
   f) PEDIATRIC PADS-THE BEST ON THE MARKET! Although it nearly never happens that an infant develops Sudden Cardiac Arrest as a result of anything but obstructed airway in which case the airway must be cleared before reviving the heart, many politically minded companies utilizing scare tactics rushed to the table and donation Pediatric Pads for an AED. In fact the American Heart Family position on CPR instructors teaching AED use on an infant “optional”. We find selecting an AED to use on infants ridiculous, of the EMS and emergency nursing staff interviewed none plotting an AED buy for use on an infant was warranted. But, with that in mind all the manufacturers are addressing the political issue of pediatric pads. The position that most manufacturers have taken is that since the unit would most likely not be used on an infant not much money would be invested in development; consequently the only modification we were able to determine was that the amount of joules administered to the patient was decreased by using a resister. This may seem like a viable alternative but in the rare case of an infant really needing a defibrillator from an extreme fall or electric shock such an alternative of limiting the joules might seem like a viable option but when interviewing ZOLL’s employees we exposed the obvious; that infants have different body composition than adults and require not only less joules but a different wave form specifically developed for infant’s muscle, tissue and bone density-ZOLL’s pediatric pads are the only pads to address the infant’s unique body organize.
   
   g) MONOPHASIC vs BIPHASIC-when defibrillation started 500 joules was the ordinary; folks quickly exposed that stopping the heart from quivering was only part of the problem– keeping the patient alive after successfully defibrillating the heart was a greater concern; with that in mind folks exposed that few survived shocks of greater than 360 joules. In recent years it was exposed that changing to biphasic would enable the majority of patients to really survive with energy levels not exceeding 200 joules. Personally I go with what the guys who have much more experience in these areas than I do; Harvard University recently switched to Zoll’s Biphasic AED. It is kind of like cooking… Everyone knows that if you turn up the heat things cook quickly.. Keep your eye on the ball.
   
   h) UPDATING OPERATING SYSTEM-every AED utilizes complex computerized operating systems. When Windows 95 was developed everyone was certain that no future systems would be needed; and then came Windows 98; then came Windows 2000; then came Windows ME; ; then came Windows XP. Zoll’s is the only operating system that we know of that allows a user to update it. Maybe not a huge deal-but if the American Heart Association decides that every AED should give it’s initially shock at 50 joules and continue on from there-every unit would need to be retrofitted by it’s manufacturer-apart from Zoll’s. If you ever needed to reload Windows operating system, download patches or updated drivers; you’ll be with you the substance of being able to update your AED.
   
   i) CONSUMER BATTERIES vs. MEDICAL BATTERIES-where batteries sometimes died unexpectedly by being exposed to extreme temperatures and moisture, rescuers were at the mercy of the AED companies for proprietary batteries and forced to have a supply of manifold high priced batteries ($195.00 – $350.00)-ZOLL integrated consumer lithium batteries manufactured by companies that really know what they are doing. ZOLL’s unit utilizes 10 separately installed consumer batteries that provide tremendous redundancy because up to 5 batteries can die and the unit still remains functional. The cost of replacement batteries for ZOLL’s unit when searching the Internet was just $25 for all ten batteries. It used to be that “Medical” batteries were much much surpass than any consumer battery but with the advent and proliferation of digital cameras-this is no longer the case, no one makes a surpass battery than a consumer lithium battery;
   
   Not only did ZOLL make considerable improvements to the units on the market they changed the before a live audience field, they did so by introducing a product that was approximately $1000 less than competitive models.

   For my complete review of AED Manufactururers: http://aedsurvivors.org
   Rating: 5 / 5
2. JDiver says:

   May 21, 2010 at 8:52 pm

   I am trained as an emergency initially responder and rescue diver, and became trained on AEDs as well. I also know delayed “ABC support,” improperly administered or delayed CPR allows many to die, and that proper CPR and the use of an AED can increase survival chances by 30% or more, according to the American Heart Association. When some friends questioned us (my nephew, a dive and EFR instructor) to evaluate an AED for a liveaboard dive boat use in a remote South Pacific region, we started our research.

   We selected the Zoll AED because it was the ONLY one that we found that had seals and gaskets to protect the device in a moist / nautical environment. Additionally, it uses simple-to-find replacement batteries commonly used in consumer electronic equipment, and we found some others required proprietary batteries (or in a couple of cases, had consumer batteries sealed into a box requiring you to buy an extremely expensive replacement box rather than the much cheaper batteries!) IN addition, the Zoll was the only AED we found that provided the rescuer with complete guidance and support from the initial “ABC” support through defibrillation – this third-generation device is classified as a “Full Rescue AED” because of its comprehensive and rich feature set. The Zoll AED Plus itself is designed for use on people over 8 years of age.

   We found the Zoll AED was simple to set up – clear instructions are on paper with even clearer diagrams, and once you start the device up, it will self-test and give you voice instructions. All is simple – the connections are logical, the pads are attached to an expandable fake strap “harness” to make pad placement effective and simple. The Zoll will even give you real-time feedback on your CPR technique – invaluable and vital information, IMO.

   If the AED detects cardiac stimulation is not needed, it will let you know. If it is, it will give you instructions on how to do this – from clearing people from touching the subject to administering the pulse itself. Zoll offers training videos – even online, so you can see for yourself how it works. I heartily recommend the Zoll, especially for remote or moist locations – you do not want to reach for the AED only to find out there is battery deterioration or worse. I have no connection to Zoll other than in doing the research for my friends, and am not a doctor, so this is not medical advice – rather a review from a “front line grunt” who is trained and who has performed several rescues.

   N.B. Though you can regularly buy AEDs without a prescription, depending on your state and local regulations and your qualifications, I also strongly recommend training – both initial and periodic refresher – on CPR and AED use. A recent study even showed some shape professionals were misapplying CPR – rescue skills work surpass, particularly in an emergency, if you are practiced and current on your skills. And you should take additional training for infant CPR and resuscitation.

   One resource for emergency initially responder with AED courses I’m traditional with is the Professional Association of Dive Instructors, at http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/rec/continue/efrc.asp- the course is really aimed at the headquarters, and meets OSHA Guideline 29 CFR 1910.151. You do not need to be a diver to take the 6 – 8 hour course, and it includes manual, DVD or videotape, hands-on training and certification. This course also meets the certification requirements of the U S Coast Guard and Scouting. (There are probably others, but this is one I am traditional with.)
   
   Rating: 4 / 5