Will the AED help responders use it effectively in an emergency situation?
An AED must help the trained responder execute the resuscitation as quickly and calmly as possible. Any confusion - ambiguous pad-placement icons, slow device response, or unclear voice commands - may potentially inhibit the delivery of care. When choosing your AED, look for one that initiates each phase of the resuscitation with unambiguous voice commands.

Can the AED treat children?
Although not common, SCA may also strike children due to trauma, illness, respiratory arrest, or congenital heart disease. Some AEDs on the market can treat children (< 8 years old weighing less than 25lbs). These units use pediatric defibrillation pads for analyzing pediatric heart rhythms and delivering an appropriate dose of therapy. Look for this feature when selecting your AED.

Does the AED provide timely alerts if a second shock is required?
Frequently, a patient will lapse back into a life-threatening heart rhythm even after a successful shock. This event is called refibrillation. Timely response to refibrillation is vital; every minute of delay reduces the chance of survival by approximately 10%. Find an AED that not only provides continuous monitoring of the patient's heart rhythm, but that alerts the responder quickly if a shockable rhythm is detected.

Does the AED have a system to accurately detect life-threatening arrhythmias?
While all AEDs have a system to detect life-threatening arrhythmias and deliver therapy, not all systems are the same. Manufacturers should meet or exceed performance requirements and standards established by the Association Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and the American Heart Association (AHA). To reduce the possibility of inappropriate delivery of a shock, look for an AED that provides an exceptional level of accuracy.

Does the AED continuously display its readiness for use?
Some AEDs can conduct their own self-test functions and can tell you when certain problems occur, such as a low or depleted battery. Many AEDs automatically initiate daily self-readiness checks. These checks offer assurance that the unit will perform when someone's life is on the line. Look for an AED with this feature.

Does the AED require routine maintenance that takes it out of service?
Some AEDs require manual testing with external devices and periodic calibration, in some cases performed by factory service personnel. This type of maintenance can be time-consuming and may require costly service contracts. Choose an AED that has an automatic self-testing feature that routinely verifies its points of calibration. That way, you avoid the added expense and inconvenience of taking the unit out of active duty on a routine basis.