GUILFORD, Connecticut--Defibtech has announced that it is now shipping its automated external defibrillators and AED Trainers with the new American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.
In addition, Defibtech is making upgrade software for its award-winning, price- and performance-leading AEDs freely available to its distributor partners.
That way, all existing Defibtech Rescue AEDs and Training AEDs ever made can be easily upgraded in the field to meet the new AHA guidelines. All Defibtech AEDs are also available with the European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2005.
Newly shipped AEDs can be easily upgraded in the future All Defibtech AEDs can be easily upgraded should rescue protocols change again in the future, said Defibtech President Gintaras Vaisnys.
"We planned ahead and designed all of our products so that they could easily be upgraded without taking them out of service," he said. "Because of this foresight, Defibtech AEDs will not become obsolete--and will always continue to bring practical value to our customers."
By simply placing a data card with the software into the AED, users can complete the Defibtech upgrade in less than two minutes at the very location where the AED is deployed. Conversely, many competing AED brands require custom cables, computers with IRDA ports, field service calls or sending the AED back to the manufacturer, often for an additional cost.
Upgrade revises voice prompts to administer one shock followed by
immediate CPR
The primary purpose of the upgrade is to revise the AED's function and voice prompts to administer one shock followed immediately by CPR.
Previously, three "stacked" shocks were recommended by the guidelines, which were revised by the American Heart Association based upon scientific evidence showing a high rate of first shock success with modern AEDs, especially when accompanied by CPR administered at an effective rate and depth.
Defibtech strongly recommends that the AED upgrade be accompanied by
training that familiarizes response teams with the new AHA guidelines.
More information on the guidelines can be found at www.americanheart.org.
