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HeartStart AEDs
AEDs and monitors/defibrillators

Defibrillation for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)

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Why Philips AEDs?

Designed for ease of use, Philips automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are ready to act when you are. They provide the treatment of the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) by delivering a shock quickly and effectively, wherever SCA happens.HeartStart AEDs guide you through the rescue process, including CPR and how to initiate an electrical current if recommended. Our AED devices are designed for every use type, whether inside or outside, in varying environments so you can help save a life anytime, anywhere.

How do I use a Philips HeartStart AED?

Easy as 1-2-3

Philips portable defibrillators are designed to be easy to be easy as 1-2-3. Simply pull the handle to activate the AED. Listen to the voice commands to place the pads on the patient If advised, press the orange shock button.

The AED will provide step-by-step voice instructions to guide you through the entire process of using the AED until emergency services can arrive.

  1. 500 million

    people affected by cardiovascular diseases globally

    500 million

    people affected by cardiovascular diseases globally

    More than half a billion people around the world continue to be affected by cardiovascular diseases, which accounted for 20.5 million deaths in 2021 – close to a third of all deaths globally and an overall increase on the estimated 121 million CVD deaths.1

  2. 90%

    fatality rate

    90%

    fatality rate

    Sudden cardiac arrest is a global public health problem with a mortality rate of more than 90%.2

  3. 3-5 minutes

    for the best chance of survival

    3-5 minutes

    for the best chance of survival

    A shock delivered by an AED within 3-5 minutes can save a life. After 5 minutes, survival rates decrease by 10% with each minute of delay.3

  4. 7 minutes

    is the average response time from emergency medical services

    7 minutes

    is the average response time from emergency medical services

    Emergency medical service units average 7 minutes from the time of a 911 call to arrival on scene. That median time increases to more than 14 minutes in rural settings, with nearly 1 of 10 encounters waiting almost a half hour for the arrival of EMS personnel.4

Philips AED Solutions provide an end-to-end solution

Most people have never been in a position to administer an AED. When the moment arrives, it is easy to panic. A calm voice walking you through the process step by step means you are never alone. With Philips AED Solutions, you can have an expert by your side. AED Solutions are designed for ease of use and reliability, with real-time guidance and support – all brought to you by Philips, the trusted global leader in emergency care resuscitation.

With expert guidance and support, Philips AED Solutions are here when you need us most.

  • Reliable, expert partner guiding you through the process with voice commands and prompts every step of the way. 
  • Philips is not just the world leader in AEDs, we’re also a leader in providing products and services designed to help you establish and maintain a successful AED program.
  • Designed for the ordinary person in the extraordinary moment, Philips AED Solutions allow anyone, with little or no training, to treat the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) by delivering a shock quickly and effectively, wherever SCA happens.

With expert guidance and support, Philips AED Solutions are here when you need us most.

  • Quick Shock feature allows the HeartStart AED to typically deliver a shock within eight seconds after CPR.
  • Count on Philips HeartStart AEDs to help you deliver the right therapy quickly and confidently – even on wet and metal surfaces.
  • HeartStart AEDs provide practical, real-time guidance through step-by-step voice commands and CPR guidance.
  • HeartStart AEDs perform a series of automatic self-tests daily, weekly and monthly to check pad readiness and verify functionality and calibration of circuits and systems.

Image gallery

  • HeartStart OnSite in case
    Arrives virtually ready to use
  • HeartStart OnSite AED
    Advanced technology. Proven therapy.
  • HeartStart FRx defibrillator in case
  • HeartStart FRx defibrillator
    Expert guidance. Intuitive support.

Featured solutions for SCA defibrilation

HeartStart OnSite AED
Designed for the ordinary person in the extraordinary moment, HeartStart OnSite defibrillator is ready to act and virtually ready to go. It allows anyone to treat the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) by delivering a shock quickly and effectively, wherever SCA happens.
Read more
HeartStart OnSite AED
HeartStart FRx Defibrillator
The HeartStart FRx features intuitive, step-by-step voice instructions, including CPR guidance, and a metronome to help guide basic life support responders while treating a suspected sudden cardiac arrest. Rugged, lightweight and reliable, it can withstand rough handling and extreme temperatures.
Read more
HeartStart FRx defibrillator
HeartStart Home AED
The HeartStart Home Defibrillator was designed to be safe, reliable and easy to use. The AED is easy to set up and helps guide you step-by-step through the treatment of SCA. HeartStart Home was the first defibrillator approved by the FDA for sale over the counter without a prescription.
Read more
HeartStart Home AED
1/3
AED outdoors on brick wallJeff Poland, MedicBob and Elaine standing together outside their home
Frequently asked questions

SCA is a sudden and unexpected abnormality of the heart’s electrical system which causes the heart to stop beating normally. When one occurs, blood stops flowing properly and the person collapses. The only way to restore their heart rhythm is by administering a shock immediately. Anyone can deliver the shock using an AED.

No. A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when the heart’s blood supply is reduced or blocked. The heart muscle becomes injured or may start to die. During a heart attack, the victim is conscious.
An SCA is an electrical problem in the heart which causes the heart to beat in an irregular, inefficient manner. Since the blood can’t circulate to the brain, the victim passes out.
When the AED instructs you to put the pads on the victim, it will sense the heart rhythm and determine the best steps to take, giving you guidance all along the way.

Defibrillation is giving an electric shock to the heart. The shock resets the heart’s electrical system and allows a normal heart rhythm to return.
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a device that delivers that shock. It analyzes the heart rhythm and if necessary, provides instructions on how to deliver it.

If a person collapses or loses consciousness, and either doesn’t have a pulse or isn’t breathing properly, you need to intervene. Even if he or she is gasping for breath or having seizures, if the person is unconscious, use the AED.
Don’t worry about diagnosing the victim correctly. The Philips AED will analyze the heart rhythm and tell you to deliver a shock, if and only if the victim needs it. All you need to do is open the AED and follow the clear, calm voice instructions. You’ll be told how put the pads on the victim so the machine can detect the heart rhythm.

No, not if you follow the instructions from the AED. AEDs are designed to help people whose hearts have stopped working effectively.
If the AED instructs you to deliver a shock, the person you are helping is already clinically dead. Your actions can only help. You may be able to restore a healthy heart rhythm.

The AED is designed to tell you exactly what you need to do. It keeps pace with what you are doing and adapts its instructions so that it doesn’t overwhelm, run ahead, or slow you down. If necessary, it will repeat the prompts, rephrasing them or adding additional instruction to help you understand.

Not if you follow the instructions. The device will tell you the basic precautions you must take to avoid getting shocked.

The best chance to survive a sudden cardiac arrest is if the person is shocked within 3 – 5 minutes. Often, emergency responders can’t arrive within that small time frame.

Philips AEDs are designed so that anyone can use them immediately. However, training is still a good idea. The more familiar you are with the signs of a SCA and the use of the AED, the more likely you are to be calm and helpful in an actual emergency.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one way to help a victim of SCA. It uses chest compressions and may include rescue breathing.
Both cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AEDs have a role in saving lives. Performing either is better than doing nothing. Using both CPR and an AED gives the victim an even greater chance of survival.

There are a number of national organizations that have CPR and AED training. Contact them to find what is available.
American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org CPR Anytime: http://www.cpranytime.org
Emergency Care and Safety
Institute: http://www.ecsinstitute.org MedAire: http://www.medaire.com Medic First Aid International: http://www.medicfirstaid.com National Safety Council: http://www.nsc.org

Liability is a valid concern for program administrators and potential rescuers. 
Automated external defibrillators are designed to be safe and very easy to use. Additionally, if a person in cardiac arrest is not treated quickly with a defibrillator, it is unlikely that they will survive. 
Philips recommends that you understand your local laws and consult with your legal counsel regarding specific laws or regulations in your area 

Philips AEDs are self-monitoring. They perform regular self-tests to make sure that everything is working. 
However, there are 2 parts that need regular replacement—the pads and the battery. The device has reminder lights to help you remember. In addition, each AED comes with a sticker reminder system. 

Anyone can own an AED. For help selecting the correct one for your business or organization please work with your local representative. If you would like a Philips representative to contact you, click the button above and submit the form or call 800-453-6860.

Place your AEDs in visible, accessible places. Choose locations that increase the chances of getting the AED to the person having an SCA in less than three minutes. Elevators, cafeterias, and reception areas are all good locations for AEDs.
Philips representatives can help you determine how many AEDs are recommended for your organization and where to place them. If you would like a Philips representative to contact you, click the button above and submit the form or call 800-453-6860.

It’s important to do a weekly or monthly visual inspection of all your AEDs. In addition, the pads and batteries will need regular replacement. Philips has tools to help you track and manage these routines.

While AEDs can be used without any prior experience, your program will be more effective if you have people who are trained and comfortable using an AED.

The American Heart Association recommends the following key elements for a successful lay rescuer program:
- Planned and practiced protocol response under medical direction 
- Ongoing AED/CPR training of anticipated rescuers 
- EMS system link 
- A plan for AED maintenance and program quality improvement 
Footnotes
  1. World Heart Federation. (2023). World Heart Report 2023 Confronting The World’s Number One Killer. Retrieved 17 September 2024 from World-Heart-Report-2023.pdf.
  2. Reinier K, et al. (2023). Warning symptoms associated with imminent sudden cardiac arrest: a population-based case-control study with external validation. The Lancet, 5(11). DOI: 10.1016/S2589-7500(23)00147-4
  3. UC Davis Health. (2023). Sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack: How to perform CPR and use an AED. Retrieved 17 September 2024 from Sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack: How to perform CPR and use an AED.
  4. Mell HK, Mumma SN, Hiestand B, Carr BG, Holland T, Stopyra J. Emergency Medical Services Response Times in Rural, Suburban, and Urban Areas. JAMA Surg. 2017 Oct 1;152(10):983-984. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2017.2230.
Disclaimer
Results are specific to the institution where they were obtained and may not reflect the results achievable at other institutions. Results in other cases may vary.