DEFIBRILLATOR FAQS:
Your Most Common Questions Answered
In the last number of years, defibrillators in Gold Coast have become much more commonplace in our day-to-day lives. As well as being carried by medical teams, they are now found in a variety of other places from sports clubs to shopping centres.
Defibrillators save lives and having even a basic understanding of what exactly a defibrillator is and how they operate is important. If you come across someone in trouble and there is a defibrillator available nearby, being confident in how to use it could help save the person’s life.
Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions that we are asked about defibrillators (also known as an Automatic External Defibrillator or AED) in our Gold Coast First Aid training centres.
Q. What Exactly is a Defibrillator?
A defibrillator is an emergency medical device used to administer an electric shock to the heart in order to reestablish a normal rhythm so that it can effectively pump blood around the body. These can also be referred to as an AED or Automatic External Defibrillator).
Download our AED location wall chart for your business here
Q. How Does a Defibrillator Work?
As the name suggests, a defibrillator is used to stop fibrillation, i.e. when the heart is beating erratically. A defibrillator works by passing an electric current through the heart using a moderately high voltage. Typically, the voltage will be somewhere between 200 and 1,000 volts depending on the device. When the shock is administered it resets the heart to its normal beat.
Q. Who Does a Defibrillators Benefit?
Defibrillators are used to help anyone who might suffer from a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
Typically, this is the result of an abnormal heartbeat, also known as ventricular fibrillation (VF). While the average age of those at risk of SCA is 65, an attack can happen to anyone, no matter how young, old, fit or unfit they might be. SCA can affect any individual anywhere and at any time. Failure to treat SCA immediately leads to death. This is why having access to a defibrillator at your workplace or in public community areas is so important.
Q. How Can I Learn to Safely Use a Defibrillator on the Gold Coast?
Defibrillators are designed to be easy to use so that they can be used by just about anybody in an emergency situation. Most defibrillators in on the Gold Coast and the surrounding areas use voice prompts to talk the user through how to use the device step-by-step.
Alternatively, here at First Aid Accident and Emergency, we offer a free 90-minute LIFEPAK CR PLAS Defibrillator and CPR workshop for sports clubs and other groups, that will show you everything you need to know about operating a defibrillator in Gold Coast.
We also offer defibrillator training in our First Aid and CPR training course.
Q. Can I Use a Defibrillator If I Have No Training or Experience?
If you have absolutely no experience or training, you can still save someone’s life using a defibrillator. Remember, that in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, time is of the essence. The quicker that the person is connected to a defibrillator and CPR is started, the better chance they have of survival. To quote the Australian Resuscitation Council “Any attempt at resuscitation is better than no attempt”. Take action quickly, do what you can and your efforts could save a life.
Q. How Do I Maintain a Defibrillator?
It is important that you regularly maintain your defibrillator to ensure that it is always ready for use. Pay close attention to the expiry dates on your batteries and pads ad update them as required to ensure effective usage. We offer replacement defibrillator batteries and pads for multiple AED models in our online defibrillator shop.
Q. How Much is a Personal Defibrillator?
Gold Coast defibrillators vary in cost depending on what features they have. Usually, they cost approximately between AUD$1,800.00 and AUD$3000.00.
There are also defibrillator packs you can buy which include different accessories such as signage and a wall cabinet to safely store and display the defibrillator. These packages can save you a lot of money and are a great choice, especially for first-time buyers, as you get everything you need.
Q. Where Can I Purchase a Defibrillator?
At First Aid Accident and Emergency, we have a range of state-of-the-art defibrillators to choose from. You can make a purchase online through our online store or alternatively you can give our friendly and knowledgeable team a call on 07 5520 5068. No matter what you need, we are here to help you every step of the way in choosing the right defibrillator for your needs.
Q. Can You Buy a Portable Defibrillator For Home?
Yes. Portable defibrillators are available for purchase for a full range of purposes. This includes workplaces, sporting clubs, schools and even to have stored at your home in case of sudden cardiac arrest strikes.
Purchase a defibrillator at our online shop for your business today!
