Finding the Right Defibrillator Pads
Once you've decided on a defibrillator, you'll need to consider keeping the correct defibrillator pads stocked and ready in case of emergency. More schools, businesses, and organizations are buying portable, automated external defibrillators or AEDs to help save the life of someone in cardiac arrest.
Research shows that survival rates increase when defibrillation is used during the first five minutes of cardiac arrest. The symptoms for this condition include a sudden loss of consciousness and the absence of normal breathing. Sadly, the majority of individuals who suffer an attack will not survive, in some cases because a defibrillator doesn't get to the patient in time.
Defibrillators use pads that cover the electrodes. The pads are placed on the patient's chest and help deliver the life-saving shock to the heart. A portable defibrillator generally has directions on where to place the pads, as these units are designed for use with minimal training. Pads conform to the shape of the patient's body for appropriate adhesion and contact with the skin.
When considering pads, it is important to keep in mind the age of potential patients. An older individual with a history of cardiac arrest who keeps a unit in his home will probably only need to have adult pads on hand. In contrast, schools or day cares should have both child and adult pads available. Defibrillator pads for infants and children reduce the shock produce to levels safe for children.
Infant or children's pads should be used for patients who are less than eight years old or who are less than 55 pounds. The pads will read the patient's heart rate just as adult pads do, but they adjust the energy for children. Children's pads are clearly labeled as such to avoid confusion in an emergency and have been designed so that little training is needed to use them. The portable defibrillator in combination with the pads ensures that clear instructions are given and that the charge is adjusted.
Professionals have designed both adult and children's defibrillator pads so that they will withstand CPR and emergency conditions. Choose pads that are designed for the particular unit purchased to ensure optimal use. If possible for your unit, look for pads that are compatible with manual defibrillators so emergency responders can continue to use the pads with they arrive. This will save time when it counts, getting help to the patient more quickly.
Once you've purchased your defibrillator, purchase appropriate additional pads for your unit. If the unit may need to be used on children or infants, buy these specific pads as well. You may also want to consider buying training pads so that caregivers or staff members can practice using the unit before an emergency hits.
Making sure you have the right defibrillator pads is critical. If you want to check your home defibrillator, visit http://www.defibinfo.com/ to see if you have the right ones.
