!9# Saving Lives Lost to Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Improving AED Access

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As any medical professional or first responder will tell you, an AED (or automated external defibrillator) is crucial for saving the life of someone that experiences sudden cardiac arrest. The number one killer in the United States, sudden cardiac arrest (or SCA) is responsible for over 450,000 deaths each year, or one death every two minutes. The survival rate is staggering low, coming in at around 8%, which can easily be improved. Luckily, however, there is a way to save these lives.

Automated External Defibrillators are medical devices that reactivate the heart of victims of SCA. By shocking the patient's heart, which more than likely no longer has a rhythm, an AED is able to reactivate the person's heart into a natural heartbeat. Since defibrillators were first invented some decades ago, the devices themselves have evolved tremendously in terms of technology, price, and accessibility. Once filling a large room, the devices can now be fit comfortably into a backpack and transported with ease from responder to patient.

Speaking in terms of the industry, there are basically two main players in the AED market: Philips and Medtronic Physio-Control. Whereas there are others, such as Zoll, Defibtech, and HeartSine, Philips and Medtronic Physio-Control dominate the market significantly.

Philip's most popular AED is the Philips HeartStart OnSite, which currently runs at ,199.00. A more advanced model, called the Philips HeartStart FRx, runs for ,559.00 and is designed for more frequent users of the AED.

Medtronic Physio-Contro's staple AED is the LIFEPAK CR Plus. Having an unsurpassed 8-year warranty and coming in less than ,700, the LIFEPAK CR Plus is often considered the best AED on the market. Medtronic Physio-Control also makes the Physio-Control LIFEPAK 1000, which is significantly more advance and designed for first responders and those subject to inclement conditions. They also make the LIFEPAK Express, which is a less expensive model than the LIFEPAK CR Plus and includes only a 5-year warranty.

With an AED being crucial and the key piece in saving lives from SCA, it is important that areas with high populations are outfitted with an AED. Not only is having an AED on hand incredibly important, but this also needs to be combined with CPR and AED training as well, in addition to a simple increase in the awareness of SCA and it's symptoms. With these simple steps, thousands of lives can be saved every year, allowing people both young and old to receive a new lease on life.