Philips HeartStart Defibrillator: Bringing Defibrillators into Every Home

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) has become a buzzword in certain communities. Some grocery stores and banks boast signs on the front door, letting you know that you are safe if you have a heart attack among the aisles. It's okay. They have an AED on the premises.

Philips, the company that brings good things to life, has taken the AED one step further. Now you don't ever need to leave the house without your very own personal AED. The Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator is a portable AED that is so safe and easy to use, every home should have one.

The HeartStart Home Defibrillator looks very similar to the AED devices found in public locations. A red plastic container holds the life-saving equipment inside. A fabric strap is provided to make it easy to sling this AED over your shoulder and take with you when you are on the go. However, with the current price tag, taking it everywhere might not be such a wise idea. The device is small enough to be easily stolen.

The personal defibrillator is designed to assist individuals who are experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. The individual must be unconscious at the time of use, thereby making the HeartStart Home Defibrillator useful only if another person is around to use it on the unconscious person. One cannot use the device on oneself. Two pads deliver a powerful shock to the unconscious person in an effort to get the heart beating again.

The HeartStart Home Defibrillator contains a 72-page manual that covers basic questions, the package contents, how to set up the HeartStart Home Defibrillator, using the device, and how to maintain and care for it. The steps for setting up the device and using it are spelled out clearly. Drawings are also very clear and easy to read, which is especially important during an emergency.