The American Heart Association reports that more than 400,000 sudden cardiac arrest episodes occur outside the hospital within the United States alone each year, with only 6% surviving the event.
Defibrillators are essential medical devices that can deliver a burst of energy to the heart of a cardiac arrest victim, which most of the time revives their heart and prevents long-term damage or death.
Having a home defibrillator has its advantages and disadvantages, if you want to know more about it then continue reading.
Pros Of Owning A Home Defibrillator
Access
SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) is the leading cause of death for adults over 40 years of age, and it also affects almost 23,000 youths per year in the United States alone, as stated by https://avive.life/.
Accessibility is one of the main advantages of a defibrillator. Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) can be installed in homes and public spaces, putting their life-saving power in the hands of many members of society.
On the other hand, professional defibrillator models are installed in hospitals and operated by a trained doctor, nurse, or technician.
Saves lives
An Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival directly correlates to the rate of timely intervention, and the survival is estimated to be below 10%.
Bystanders using an AED save more than 1,700 lives each year in the US, according to a research team led by Dr. Myron Weisfeldt of John Hopkins University.
With AEDs, the chances of survival after sudden cardiac arrest increase. In addition, since they can detect heart irregularities right away and deliver an electrical shock to the heart to restore the rhythm, one is more likely to survive. So, it’s best to use them as early as possible.
Ease Of Use
A layperson can resuscitate an SCA victim if Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are unavailable by hitting a shock button on the automated external defibrillator. The device offers quick and fully automatic life-saving emergency therapy and can be operated by anyone.
The machine is entirely automatic and portable, meaning that it is capable of analysing the heart’s rhythm and giving shocks automatically – even without the rescuer having to press any buttons. In addition, the AED has an inbuilt communications feature that informs rescuers of the SCA victims who need shock therapy.
Cons Of Owning A Defibrillator
May Need Training
With an AED, the owner’s manual only covers the basics. If you are not trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but still wish to use a defibrillator in an emergency, you may do so regardless. However, if you have not have taken a first aid course, you might panic and not know what to do with an AED in an emergency!
In first aid training, you will be practicing CPR using a dummy and an actual AED to prepare yourself if you ever face a situation that needs this. Through this, you will know how to perform CPR correctly and how and when to use an AED properly.
Malfunction
It can become problematic if the devices are not maintained or regularly replaced. This could lead to software bugs that cause error messages, defective resistors that can result in misdiagnosis of sudden cardiac arrest, or deteriorating electrodes.
Some malfunctions could prevent the AED from delivering necessary shocks to the chest. A malfunction could also cause interference, stopping the device from correctly analysing heart rhythms.
AED malfunctions are caused mainly by improper maintenance or a failing battery. Batteries and electrodes (accessory parts of AEDs) have an expiration date, which needs to be addressed before expiration.
As long as an alternative AED is not available at home or in public places, the FDA recommends using these devices because the consequences of not using them outweigh the possibility of it failing.
Cost
Home defibrillators are expensive machines, with even the lowest-priced models being a bit pricey. In addition, most health insurance plans will not cover the cost of a home AED, making the entire cost of the device the sole responsibility of the individual.
The cost of an AED is understandably a major concern for anyone considering its necessity of buying one for home use or an office-wide program. An entry-level AED costs around USD$900 to USD$1,200. On the higher end, it is over USD$2,000.
They are so expensive because the device senses the heart rhythm and triggers only when necessary – not at a time when someone has a standard heart rate, but at the moment their heart needs to go back into sync. Otherwise, having an irregular heartbeat can be extremely dangerous.
All in all, to find a suitable home defibrillator for your needs, seek medical advice from a doctor. Talk to your friends that may have had the same experience, or read reviews. Defibrillators can save lives, but only if they are properly used and function well in emergencies. Take these pros and cons into consideration as you select the best home defibrillator to safeguard your loved ones.