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.

The HeartStart Home Defibrillator will not deliver a shock unless it detects a shock is necessary, thereby preventing misuse of the product by adults and children. It also performs a daily self-check of its system to make sure it is functioning correctly and will be ready to use when needed. When the device is used, the HeartStart Home Defibrillator stores last event data to an internal memory area where it can be reviewed by doctors or other medical professionals. The data remains in storage for up to seven years. However, removing the battery will erase this data from the internal memory. Another perk is that the AED can be used more than once (God forbid).

So who should own the Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator? According to Philips' website, virtually everyone should own one for the mere peace of mind. On their website it is stated that traffic accidents, house fires, hand guns, breast cancer, prostate cancer and AIDS kill a combined 150,000 people each year. Meanwhile, 250,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) each year. Let's break that down and see what that really means. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 281,000,000 people living in the United States.

That means that you have a 9% chance of dying from SCA versus a 5% chance of dying from all those other things combined. Philips' website says, "SCA strikes both men and women. The average age of victims is 65; however, many of those who experience SCA are much younger - many in their 30s and 40s." For those of the scientific persuasion, this statement means little, however in this fear-based society, this statement can sound like a death knell.

In a little twist of irony, the cost of the Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator could keep it out of the reach of those who need it most. Although the website does not specify the cost of this life-saving device, it eludes to the price as stating it is available on a payment plan for as little as $69.00 a month. However, a quick browse at Walgreens revealed the price to be around $1,249.00. Other stores advertised it for $1,278.00. Keep in mind, however, that this is one very serious piece of medical equipment created solely to save a life.