What is a Defibrillator?

And why do you need one? Where can you get a defibrillator?

Information current as of:

So what is the definition of fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is when the patient has a rapid and irregular heart beat. You could think of it as the heart going out of control. The defibrillator issues an electric shock to the heart in order to shock it back into normal rhythm. For many people around the world it has been a life saving machine.

Defibrillators used to be quite expensive, and for home use I suppose they still are a bit pricey, but the cost has come down quite a bit, enough that many people with ongoing heart issues will buy an AED, or automatic external defibrillator, for their home use.  You can get one for less than $1500. What is the price of your loved ones life worth?

Most paramedic units and medical alert teams have an AED on board. Every hospital has a defibrillator available. They save lives, period.

The AED is a lightweight, portable device that can be taken to sporting events, concerts, or other places where people gather but might not be close enough to a hospital.

Some people have said the AED is easier to use than CPR and can require less training since many units are voice activated and prompted. It is always advised that anyone using the machine have special training, but in an absolute emergency with no trained person around, it is thought that anyone could use the unit and save a life.

Do you have to buy new or are used units ok?

We would suggest getting either a new unit or a refurbished one. The refurbished units are cheaper, but you'll want to look for ones that are sold with a warranty or guarantee of some kind.

The most common brands are Phillips, Zoll, Hewlitt Packard, Medtronics and Cardiac Science. There are dozens of different models with a variety of features available. Look for the one that fits your health and financial needs.

We have featured a variety of models on our pages about AEDs, home units and portable defibrallators.